Tuesday, 19 September 2023 | 01:30 WIB
Antara/WDP
The deadly virus carried by fruit bats is Nipah. The virus has killed at least 10 people in South India and resulted in more than 90 people being quarantined.
Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – The Bengkulu Province Health Service (Dinkes) appealed to the public to increase awareness regarding the potential spread of the Nipah virus. This warning becomes important along with the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic which has hit the whole world.
Head of the Bengkulu Province Health Office, Herwan Antoni, said that, although up to now he has not received official information from the Ministry of Health regarding the transmission or cases of the Nipah virus in Indonesia, the most important thing is to remain vigilant.
“Let’s not be careless, considering our experience with the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
Herwan emphasized that although current data shows that Indonesia is still safe from transmission of this virus, safety does not mean ignoring the potential for its spread. Because, in several other countries, there have been cases detected.
“Efforts to maintain cleanliness and health are the most basic things. Make sure the food you consume is sterile and healthy, and avoid consuming ingredients that have the potential to endanger health,” he added.
The public is also reminded to implement health protocols such as those implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, washing hands regularly, and keeping your body and clothing clean.
“The thing that needs to be understood at this time is that the transmission of the Nipah virus is still uncertain whether it can occur through the air. The information we currently have indicates that it is transmitted from animals to humans. However, it is still important to be aware of the possibility of transmission through the air,” he said.
Previously, there were reports of an outbreak of the Nipah virus (NiV) in India which showed human-to-human transmission. This report states that this outbreak has spread in the Kerala area, South India.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that the Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic type, which means it can spread between animals and humans.
Fruit bats are known as reservoir animals for the Nipah virus in nature. This virus can also cause disease in pigs and humans. The CDC notes that outbreaks of this virus occur almost every year in several regions of Asia, especially in Bangladesh and India.
In facing the potential spread of the Nipah virus, it is important for all parties to remain vigilant, comply with health protocols, and support the government’s efforts to overcome this potential health threat. Vigilance and appropriate preventive measures are key to maintaining public health.
2023-09-18 18:30:00
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