Surge In Cases Of ISPA And Campak In Gorontalo, Health Task Office Strengthens Health Mitigation

JAKARTA - Breathing health problems are the main concern in Gorontalo, especially with the increasing number of cases of acute respiratory infection (ARI), pneumonia, and other environmentally-based diseases.

Factors such as the high mobility of the community during Ramadan and high rainfall also worsen this condition.

Based on the report of the Early and Response Alert System (SKDR) in the ninth week of 2025, there was a significant increase in cases of respiratory syndrome and suspectedemployment in Gorontalo Province.

Head of the Gorontalo Provincial Health Office, Anang S. Otoluwa, revealed that this increase was a serious concern amid the threat of tripledemic, namely a combination of COVID-19 cases, influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). This situation is exacerbated by humid and cold environmental factors due to high rainfall.

SKDR data shows that in the ninth week of 2025, there was an increase in cases of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) by 1,242 cases, with North Gorontalo Regency as the area with the highest report.

Of the list of 10 diseases that have the potential to trigger Extraordinary Events (KLB), ARI ranks first with a total of 6,787 cases. In addition, pneumonia is also a major concern with 399 cases, especially attacking vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly.

Responding to this spike, the Provincial Health Office, district/city, and puskesmas increased surveillance and case monitoring efforts. In addition, education to the public about the importance of clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS) is also continuously encouraged.

As a precautionary measure, the immunization program is strengthened by increasing vaccination coverage, especially Measles (MR) in areas with low coverage. This is done to prevent outbreaks in areas with high mobility levels during Ramadan and ahead of the Eid holiday.

Anang also emphasized the importance of the active role of the community in this mitigation effort by maintaining cleanliness, eating healthy foods during fasting, and avoiding close contact with individuals who are sick in order to reduce the risk of transmission.

To deal with the surge in patients due to tripledemic and other diseases, the readiness of health facilities during Ramadan until the end of the Eid holiday has begun to increase. This step includes the availability of adequate vaccine stocks, medicines, logistics, and health service capacity.

Support from various sectors, including district/city governments, is also very much needed so that the policies taken can be implemented effectively to protect the health of the Gorontalo community.