JAKARTA - Hantavirus is one of the diseases that has recently begun to receive attention after reports of cases in a number of countries.
The virus transmitted by rodents such as rats can cause disorders of the kidneys and lungs, depending on the type of variant. Transmission generally occurs through exposure to urine, saliva, or rodent feces in less clean environments, especially after floods or poor sanitation conditions.
Even so, the Ministry of Health ensures that the cases of Hantavirus found in Indonesia so far are still considered mild and non-lethal variants, such as the case that had been in the spotlight of the world on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
Deputy Minister of Health Dante Saksono Harbuwono said Indonesia has found 23 cases of Hantavirus since 2023. However, all cases are types of "Hanta Fever Renal Syndrome" which have a lower fatality rate.
"In Indonesia, 23 cases have been found since 2023, but they are all mild 'Hanta Fever Renal Syndrome'. If the Hantavirus is like the one found on the cruise ship, it has not entered Indonesia yet," said Dante at the West Java Health Office, Bandung, Tuesday, May 13.
Dante explained that globally there are two main types of Hantavirus. The first type is "Hanta Fever Renal Syndrome" which attacks the kidneys with a death rate of around 15 percent.
Meanwhile, the other type is "Pulmonary Syndrome" which attacks the lungs and has a much higher fatality rate, reaching 60 to 80 percent.
According to him, the pattern of Hantavirus spread has similarities with leptospirosis because they are both transmitted through rodents.
He said the risk of transmission could increase in post-flood environmental conditions that are filled with poor sanitation and the presence of rats.
Because the symptoms are quite similar to leptospirosis, the Ministry of Health is now implementing additional examinations for patients suspected of being infected with leptospirosis.
"Now we make a policy, all those suspected of leptospirosis must also be examined for the disease," he said.
Although there are findings of cases in several areas, Dante ensured that the condition did not need to cause panic like during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"No, it's not dangerous. There are cases in several areas, but because this is confidential data, we still 'keep'," he said.
Regarding the case of death on the MV Hondius cruise ship, which had sparked concerns about the possibility of human-to-human transmission, Dante said that until now the World Health Organization (WHO) was still conducting further investigations.
"Human-to-human transmission is that there are people who die, it has not yet been confirmed by WHO. The death toll of three on the cruise ship is still under investigation," said Dante.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
