3 Positive, 6 Suspects: DKI Health Office Increases Hantavirus Awareness

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Health Office (Dinkes) recorded three confirmed cases of Hantavirus and six suspected cases of Hantavirus which are still under strict monitoring by health workers.

"We still find three positive cases that I had reported yesterday, but there are six suspects who are still being monitored by us until today," said Head of the DKI Jakarta Health Office Ani Ruspitawati at the Meruya Selatan II Sub-Health Center, Kembangan District, West Jakarta, Antara, Monday, May 18.

Ani said the DKI Health Office had followed up on the Ministry of Health's vigilance letter regarding the spread of Hantavirus by issuing a vigilance circular to all health facilities in Jakarta.

In addition, a number of regional general hospitals (RSUD) have also been designated as sentinel hospitals to tighten surveillance of suspected Hantavirus cases.

"There is also a rapid response team that continues to carry out an early warning system if there is a significant increase in cases," he said.

Ani explained that Hantavirus is a disease transmitted by rats. Therefore, the public is asked to understand the transmission pathway of the virus so that they can effectively prevent it.

According to him, transmission can occur through inhalation of aerosols from rat feces, saliva secretion, urine, and direct contact with contaminated animals.

"There must be vigilance because there are several types of transmission," said Ani.

He explained that dried rat feces can mix with air particles and be inhaled by humans.

"Or by direct contact with the secretions of Hanta-contaminated mice or then directly with the bite of mice," he said.

To prevent transmission, the public is urged to be careful when cleaning areas that are rat nests by ensuring that air ventilation remains good and implementing a clean lifestyle, including washing hands with soap and running water.

Ani also suggested that rat feces be sprayed with disinfectant liquid first before being cleaned.

"At home, we can use bleach, bleach liquid that is usually at home as a disinfectant before cleaning the dirt," he said.