WHO Declares Ebola Emergency, Government Increases Alertness in Indonesia

JAKARTA - The government through the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has ensured that there has been no case of Ebola in Indonesia. However, the government has increased vigilance after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a disturbing public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

The Head of the Ministry of Health's Public Communication and Information Bureau, Aji Muhawarman, said that the WHO's emergency status designation was an important signal for all countries to increase vigilance against the spread of Ebola.

According to him, this step was taken by the WHO due to the spread across regions, high mortality rates, and uncertainty regarding the extent of the outbreak in Central Africa.

Based on official data, the outbreak in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, is caused by the Bundibugyo type Ebola virus. There are 246 suspected cases, eight confirmed cases, and 80 deaths with a fatality rate of 32.5%.

Cases related to travel have also been reported in Kampala, Uganda, and Kinshasa due to the high mobility of the population and the limited health facilities in the affected areas.

"The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the global situation and strengthen cross-sectoral vigilance. We ensure that all country entrances, both ports and airports, increase surveillance of travelers, especially those from affected countries," said Aji Muhawarman in his statement on Wednesday, May 20.

The Ministry of Health has prepared a number of anticipatory steps, ranging from the management of health workers, strengthening the screening of travelers, to referral procedures to international standard hospitals if symptoms leading to Ebola are found.

All reports from the country's entry points will be monitored for 24 hours through the early warning and response (SKDR) system and the public health emergency operation center (PHEOC).

In addition, the capacity of national laboratories is also fully alerted to support rapid detection and early response to possible cases of Ebola in Indonesia.

The Ministry of Health appeals to the public to remain calm and not easily believe in false or hoax information related to Ebola circulating on social media. Education on symptoms and transmission of the disease is considered important so that the public is not panicked.

"Ebola is an infectious viral disease that can cause death with an average fatality rate of 50 percent. Currently, there are three types of virus strains that often cause outbreaks, namely Ebola virus disease (EVD), Sudan virus disease (SVD), and Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD)," he explained.

Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated objects from both infected humans and animals. The virus can enter through wounds on the skin or mucous membranes.

Ebola symptoms generally appear suddenly during the incubation period of 2 to 21 days. Symptoms include fever, body weakness, muscle pain, headache, and progressing to vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding.

As a preventive measure, the public is asked to strengthen clean and healthy living behaviors (PHBS), including washing hands and wearing masks when sick.

"The best step at this time is to remain vigilant by diligently washing hands with water and soap, wearing a mask if you feel unwell, and applying the correct cough and sneeze etiquette. Avoid direct contact with sick people or animals," he said.

The Ministry of Health also appealed to residents who had just returned from affected countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda to immediately check themselves if they experience fever or bleeding symptoms within 21 days of travel.

Honesty in reporting travel history is considered very important to help health workers break the potential chain of transmission.