16 hours ago
8
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The news that the Human Metapneumovirus or HMPV virus, which has recently spread in China to Indonesia, has also made various parties alert.
Yogyakarta as an area with high mobility of people such as tour groups and study tours has also begun to anticipate the spread of the virus which is said to be similar to the flu or influenza.
Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division, Data Management, and Information Systems of the Yogyakarta City Health Office, Lana Unwanah, said that until now there have been no cases of residents being infected with the virus in Yogyakarta.
"There have been no reports or findings of this case in Yogyakarta City, because there is no special diagnostic tool to identify this virus," said Lana, Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
Anticipatory steps
Although there is no special detection tool for HMPV cases, Lana continued, proactive steps to anticipate have begun to be taken. Such as strengthening the surveillance system in all health centers in Yogyakarta City to quickly detect every case of infectious diseases that have the potential to become an outbreak, including those with symptoms like the common flu.
"Especially when there is an increase in cases such as the flu, we hope that with the surveillance system it will be detected immediately," he said.
Lana said, since the news of the HMPV virus circulated in China, the Indonesian Government has instructed all regions to increase vigilance at international entry points such as airports and ports. Including health checks for travelers who show symptoms similar to influenza.
Lana also asked the public not to panic but to remain vigilant. By implementing a Clean and Healthy Lifestyle (PHBS), one of which is by continuing to wear masks in public places to reduce the risk of transmission. "If the immune system is strong, the transmission of various viruses can also be prevented," she said.
However, for vulnerable groups such as children, Lana appealed to parents to pay more attention, especially to increase their immunity. "If children experience symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, or fever, it is advisable not to go to school first and immediately check themselves at a health facility," she said.
This is to avoid transmission to others because schools are places to gather in one place for a long time and do activities together.
The HMPV virus, said Lana, can cause respiratory tract infections with symptoms similar to the common flu. Such as coughing, runny nose, fever, and shortness of breath or called Influenza Like Illness. In severe cases, the virus can also trigger complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia, especially in vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic diseases.
Monitoring at YIA Airport
Earlier this week, the Yogyakarta Health Quarantine Center (BKK) also monitored mobility activities at Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) in Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta. Monitoring, especially for international route passengers, is to anticipate the potential spread of the HMPV virus in the Yogyakarta area.
Head of the Yogyakarta BKK Wisnu Trianggono said that there had been instructions from the Indonesian Ministry of Health to anticipate HMPV in each region. "Supervision of both aircraft crew, goods, and passengers, both visually for symptoms and conducting body temperature scans," he said.
All airlines, said Wisnu, are also expected to be able to help with similar monitoring. In anticipating this case, his party uses the principle of prevention and control. So, if there are passengers or crew who are sick and show symptoms like influenza, they can immediately be reported to the Yogyakarta BKK officers at the airport.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin previously said that the HMPV virus, which was recently reported to have spread in China, was already in Indonesia. Budi asked the public not to panic because the virus is not a new virus and has long been known in the medical world.
"Is this HMPV already in Indonesia? This HMPV has been in Indonesia for a long time. If it get checked now, is the virus there? Of course. Maybe if my friends in front of me (the reporters) get checked, there are also those who are already got infected, if they are seem to be coughing," said Minister Budi in Jakarta, Monday, January 6, 2025.
Editor’s Choice: HMPV Virus Has Entered Indonesia, What to Do?
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
