Difetri Starts Threatening Indonesia, Pay Attention To Symptoms

Illustration of difetri disease. (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA - Difetri diseases have begun to threaten Indonesia. The first case of the diphtheria in Subang was reported on September 30, 2023, attacking a nine-year-old child.

Then the second case appeared on October 3. The local Health Office has traced who has been in direct contact with the two people.

In addition, the Garut Regency Government has determined the status of extraordinary events of diphtheria during February-November 2023.

The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) provides an explanation regarding the recent diseases of diphtheria that have attacked in several regions in Indonesia.

Head of the BRIN Preclinical and Clinical Medical Research Center, Harimat Hendarwan, said the diphtheria was caused by the Corynebacterium Diphtheriae bacteria that infected the pharyng, larang, and tonsil parts.

"The symptoms are usually preceded by disturbances when swallowing, breathing can also cause problems there, because they are marked on farming," said Harimat, as confiscated by Antara.

He explained that the membrane of the throat infected with the bacteria will be whiteish. This is a reaction, because these bacteria have damaged the inner layer of the skin that coats various body cavities that have contact with the outside environment (mukes).

In severe cases, he said, diphtheria bacteria can produce exotoxines that can enter the bloodstream, so that they can spread to the heart, kidneys, or nerves, and cause other fatal symptoms.

If not treated as soon as possible, he said, diphtheria can threaten other communities because the spread of this disease is easy, namely through saliva splashes (droplets), direct contact with sufferers, and indirect contact with items touched by people with diphtheria.

If the spread of this disease is massive, he said, the number of patients has the potential to experience death reaching 10 percent.

"When there is an outbreak, it can cause 10 percent death for people with the diphtheria," said Harimat.

He said subjects infected with the diphtheria needed to be isolated immediately and receive intensive care so that the spread of the virus could be dammed.