IDI Confirms That Florona Is Not The Result Of A Mutation Of A New Variant Of COVID-19

JAKARTA - The head of the COVID-19 Task Force for the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) Zubairi Djoerban emphasized that Florona was not a mutation of the new variant of COVID-19 but a phenomenon of multiple infections caused by two different viruses.

"Regarding this Florona, it's actually not a new variant. However, there is a double infection, meaning that there are two types of viruses that infect a person (simultaneously)," said Zubairi, quoted by Antara, Monday, January 3.

Responding to the presence of pregnant women in Israel who were infected with the two viruses at the same time, Zubairi said, this was due to the condition of the body's weak immune system.

That is, cases like this are rare. However, it is still possible to infect someone at the same time, because both viruses are equally transmitted through the air or droplets and attack the respiratory tract.

Despite having similarities in the mode of transmission, both COVID-19 and influenza have different causes. So the drugs or vaccines given to patients are given differently.

"There's no need to worry because influenza is very, very rarely found in Indonesia, especially when it causes death. Influenza should not be confused with Indonesian flu," he said.

According to him, the flu that many Indonesians suffer from is a common cold which causes a person to only have coughs, runny noses and sneezes. Not the same as influenza in a country that has a cold winter like the United States, which causes sufferers to have severe symptoms such as pneumonia or death.

Although rarely found, Zubairi asked all parties to remain vigilant and not arrogant at the current state of the country.

He asked all parties to continue to prioritize health protocols, especially to vaccinate against COVID-19 so that they can prevent various viruses from entering the body.

"The most important thing to ward off viruses, especially the virus that causes COVID-19 is vaccination. So, who has not vaccinated twice, immediately vaccinate, "he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Post-graduate Program at YARSI University, Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, also said that the occurrence of multiple infections was influenced by three things.

The three things are how strong the virus survives, how strong a person's immune system is and environmental factors.

"So we can't say if the covid is stronger or the flu is stronger. It depends on each person's development. but again, the possibility of suffering from two can happen, “said Tjandra.

Tjandra explained that there were no specific symptoms from Florona, because Florona was just a name made up by someone. So when talking about whether or not it can have an impact on the occurrence of a new wave of COVID-19, further analysis and monitoring is still needed from the country with the case in question.

“The term Florona doesn't exist in the world. It only circulates on social media, there is no disease called Florona. We are waiting for an analysis from Israel whether this is a phenomenon or there are many cases," said Tjandra who is also the former Director of Infectious Diseases of WHO Southeast Asia.

Therefore, he asked the public not to immediately trust the information obtained through social media and continue to seek information from trusted sources.

It is hoped that all parties can continue to be disciplined in carrying out health protocols so that they stay healthy and can break the chain of transmission of COVID-19.

“It would be better if the public followed accurate and correct news sources. Don't completely stick to social media where the truth is not very clear," he said.