Help! Many West Pasaman Residents Are Affected By ISPA

One of the houses of residents in Kenagarian Kajai damaged by the earthquake (ANTARA/Fathul Abdi)

JAKARTA - The West Pasaman Health Service, West Sumatra, said that acute respiratory infections (ARI) were the most common diseases that earthquake victims complained about in the local district.

"Based on data, as of Friday (4/3) night, the most common diseases were ARI, with 334 cases," said Head of Disease Prevention and Control at the West Pasaman Health Service, Dr. Gina Alecia, in Simpang Empat, Saturday, March 5, quoted by Antara.

This condition occurs because there is an infection in the respiratory tract which is characterized by symptoms of cough, runny nose, and fever.

He said a number of factors influenced the attack of the disease, weather changes because it had rained in the local area and many residents lived in refugee tents.

He explained that ARI cases were found evenly in every age group, from children to adults.

The highest diseases found among refugees were Febris (fever) 97 cases, Hypertension (64), Dyspepsia (62), Chepalgia (60), Common Cold (39), Bronchitis (33), Myalgia (30), GEA (20 ), and Dermatitis (19).

"In the elderly and adult age groups, hypertension, stomach ailments such as ulcers, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are found," he said.

He said residents who were stricken with the disease had been treated by the medical team through the provision of drugs to vitamins to increase endurance.

His party has established health service posts to check and handle residents who have health complaints.

The posts are located at the evacuation site of the West Pasaman Regent's Office, two posts in Timbo Abu, one post each at the Kajai, Tinggam, and SMPN 2 Health Centers.

"Every patient being treated is also continuously monitored by the medical team every morning," he said.

Gina said patients with increasingly severe disease conditions would be referred to the Islamic Hospital of Ibnu Sina Simpang Empat and West Pasaman Hospital.

As of Friday (4/3) night, there were more than 11,000 people who had taken refuge in West Pasaman. And nine people died.