Serang Health Office Records 452 Children Infected With TB Until September 2025

JAKARTA The Health Office (Dinkes) of Serang Regency, Banten Province, revealed the high number of cases of tuberculosis (TBC) transmission in children. From data compiled from January to September 10, 2025, it was recorded that 452 children were diagnosed positive for tuberculosis.

Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division of the Serang District Health Office, Istinah Hariyanti, said the number was part of 4,014 TB cases found this year in Serang Regency.

"The main factor is the transmission of adult TB sufferers. When there are still many transmissions today, children are automatically more susceptible to infection," he said, as quoted by ANTARA.

He stressed that prevention efforts must begin by stopping the chain of transmission. You do this by detecting TB sufferers, especially adults, and then ensuring that they undergo complete treatment so that they no longer transmit disease to those around them, including children.

"There are interventions in treatment for children, but the types of drugs and doses are different from adults. On average it takes six months for treatment to recover," he added.

In addition, the Health Office also found 32 cases of drug resistant TB (TBC RO). This condition makes handling more complicated and requires a collaborative approach so that TB prevention can be more effective.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Regent of Serang, Muhammad Najib Hamas, emphasized that the high number of TB cases could not be handled only by the Health Office.

"To solve problems with infectious diseases such as TB, there must be cross-sectoral cooperation," he said.

Najib encourages TB prevention and control efforts to be carried out jointly, involving the Village Community Empowerment Service (DPMD), Social Service, National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas), to the private sector, so that the handling is more comprehensive and sustainable.