Citilink Sterilization Of The Entire Fleet Of Aircraft Prevents MPox Diseases

Citilink aircraft. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Citilink airline has sterilized all of its aircraft in anticipation of the emergence of monkeypox or Monkey Pox (MPox).

"For aircraft, we routinely carry out inspections and even routine spraying on planes to make sure they are not spread or if there are passengers suffering from MPox," said the President Director (Managing Director) of PT Citilink Indonesia, Dewa Kadek Rai in Tangerang, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, September 4.

He revealed that this prevention effort will continue to be carried out regularly as part of providing comfort and security for passengers using their airlines.

Bahkan Dewa menjelaskan, sterilisasi yang dilakukannya dengan cara penyemanan cairan disinfectasi khusus di area pesawat sesuai dengan standar operasional dan prosedur yang berlaku.

In addition, Citilink has also taken various anticipatory steps to prevent the MPox virus, including the use of the HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Arrestors), which is a screening tool for aircraft air circulation throughout its fleet that has the ability to filter dust and high-level air contaminants.

"What we are doing is of course socialization and the second is giving an appeal from the government regarding reporting passengers from international routes," he said.

He revealed, as a form of prevention of MPox, prospective passengers, especially trips from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and others, are required to fill out the One Healthy Health pass electronic self-declaration form before they arrive in the country.

"Para penumpang harus mengisi form yang sudah disiapkan secara digital seluruh kk in counter kami yang ada di luar negeri. Seperti menyiapkan Qr Kode yang harus di download dan diisi sehingga saat kedatangan ke Indonesia para penumpang tidak kesulitan harus menunggu lama di konter kedatangan," kata dia.

Meanwhile, PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) as the main manager of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Soetta), Tangerang, Banten, has implemented standard health protocols by installing a body temperature detection device (thermal scanner) to prevent the presence of the infectious virus.

Senior Manager of Branch Communication & Legal Soekarno-Hatta Airport, M. Holik Muardi said, by installing this thermal scanner as a step to increase the case of airport authorities in preventing the emergence of MPox verus.

"We have implemented various proactive steps to prevent the spread of the monkeypox virus at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. We are working closely with the Health Quarantine Center (BBKK) and various related parties, ensuring that every passenger entering Indonesia has gone through a comprehensive screening process and is in accordance with established health protocols." he said.

By prioritizing the health and safety of passengers and airport personnel, preventive measures have been strengthened and focused on early detection, proper handling, and providing adequate facilities.

"To deal with the threat of the spread of monkeypox, Soekarno-Hatta Airport has taken various collaborative steps with various relevant agencies," he said.

This collaboration is designed to ensure that any potential monkeypox cases can be detected and handled quickly and appropriately. Intensive coordination between airports and other stakeholders ensures a comprehensive handling protocol, ranging from early detection to further medical treatment.

One of the steps taken when suspect monkeypox was found in the international arrival area was the separation of passengers who were indicated to have symptoms from other passengers.

"Passengers suspected of being infected with monkeypox will be immediately directed to a temporary isolation room that has been specially prepared at the airport. In this isolation room, passengers will undergo further medical examination by the health team who is always on standby 24 hours. If the passenger is confirmed to have symptoms that match the monkeypox," he said.