ISPA Case In Tanjungpinang Reaches 20 Thousand, Health Office Urges Residents To Be Alert In The Transition Season

TANJUNGPINANG - The Health Office (Dinkes) of Tanjungpinang City, Riau Islands (Kepri) noted that the number of patients with Acute Respiratory Channel Infections (ISPA) in the area reached 20,488 cases from January to September 2025.

The head of the Tanjungpinang Health Office, Rustam, said that the number increased by 292 cases compared to the same period in 2024, which was recorded at 20,196 cases.

"The increase is relatively small, but it still needs to be watched out for, especially since this ARI disease attacks almost all age groups," said Rustam in Tanjungpinang, Antara, Monday, October 27.

Based on the monthly trend, the surge in ARI cases occurred in February 2025 and increased again towards September this year. This condition is thought to be influenced by changes in the weather or transition season which is indeed a period prone to an increase in respiratory tract diseases.

"In addition to weather factors, increasing community mobility after the COVID-19 pandemic and decreasing awareness of respiratory diseases also contributed to the increase in ARI cases this year," he said.

Rustam said that IsPA sufferers in Tanjungpinang were dominated by 3,576 toddlers, followed by 4,147 children aged 10'18 years, and 10.888 adults aged 19'59 years.

While the rest come from the age group 5'9 years and the elderly (elderly) over 60 years old.

"This data shows that groups of teenagers to productive age are increasingly attacked by ARI," said Rustam.

The Tanjungpinang Health Office continues to make prevention efforts which are the main keys in reducing the ISPA number, ranging from socialization of clean and healthy lifestyles (PHBS) to education on cough ethics and sneezing in public places.

This program is carried out with various stakeholders in schools, workplaces, and public facilities.

In addition, the Health Office has also increased the preparedness of health facilities, including the availability of medicines and examination facilities, in order to anticipate a spike in cases.

"We also continue to monitor air quality and control sources of pollution such as burning garbage to prevent ARI," concluded Rustam.