Not Wanting To Concede An Ebola Virus, Lampung Veterinary Center Checks Bat Samples Periodically

Archives - Head of the Lampung Veterinary Center drh Hasan Abdullah Sanyata when giving information. BETWEEN/Ruth Intan Sozometa Kanafi./ANTARA

LAMPUNG - The Lampung Veterinary Center is periodically examining several bat samples to anticipate the entry of the Nipah virus in its area. "This Nipah virus is a zoonosis disease originating from bats and this virus is at the same level as the Ebola virus which is very dangerous for humans," said Head of the Lampung Veterinary Center, Drh Hasan Abdullah Sanyata in Bandarlampung, Antara, Tuesday, October 10. Checks of bat samples are carried out randomly and periodically. "Some time ago we have collaborated with Unila to catch bats that are used as inspection samples, because catching bats requires a special trick," he said. He explained that from the results of the random examination of the bat sample, there were no positive cases of Nipah exposure in Lampung. "The results of the examination so far are all negative from Nipah, we continue to increase our awareness of the spread of this virus because this (Nipah virus) is carried by many fruit bats," he said. According to him, it should also be watched out for the migration of bats from several surrounding countries such as Malaysia. So that nine veterinary centers in Indonesia continue to be prepared to prevent the entry of the Nipah virus. "The anticipatory steps taken are to increase vigilance while still preparing to carry out regular and random sample testing to monitor the health development of bats that are carriers of the Nipah virus," he added. It is known that the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) conveyed guidelines for the community to prevent and treat pain due to the Nipah virus that is transmitted from animals to humans. The Nipah virus is included in the genus Helipavirus and the Paramyxovidee family. This disease can be transmitted from animals, whether wild or domestic, with fruit bats belonging to the Pteropodidae family as the host of the virus. Anticipatory steps that can be taken include not consuming Nira or palm directly from the tree because bats can nominate sweet liquid sap obtained from plant stems, such as sugar cane, sorghum, manpel, or flower mark sap at night. Then avoid contact with livestock, such as pigs, horses that may be infected with the Nipah virus. If you have to make contact, you must use personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent direct contact with your organs. In addition, careful consumption of livestock meat, wash and peel fruit thoroughly dispose of fruit that has bat bite marks. And animals infected with the Nipah virus should not be consumed and apply clean and healthy living behavior such as cleaning their hands regularly, and maintaining the ethics of sneezing.

If you experience symptoms related to Nipah virus disease and interact with infected animals or patients, you can directly come to the nearest health care facility for examination.