Acting Head Of East Kalimantan Health Office Regarding Acute Hepatitis: Don't Be Panic

Acting Head Of East Kalimantan Health Office, Masitah. (Photo: Antara)

SAMARINDA - The East Kalimantan Provincial Health Office appealed to the public not to panic with information on the spread of acute hepatitis, which is suspected to have symptoms in the area.

"We hope that people don't panic with the information circulating, but they still have to be vigilant about their health by living a clean life and exercising," said the Acting Head of the East Kalimantan Health Office, Masitah, as quoted by Antara, Sunday, May 15.

Masitah explained that the Indonesian Ministry of Health, on Friday, May 13, 2022, had conveyed the development of symptoms of Acute Hepatitis in the Republic of Indonesia, namely there were 18 symptomatic cases in Indonesia, including those in East Kalimantan.

In its report, the Ministry of Health stated that there was one case of symptomatic or suspected acute hepatitis in East Kalimantan, to be precise in the Samarinda area.

"The public must remain calm, especially since this case was sourced from the UK, which was reported by the WHO," she explained.

According to Masitah, the symptoms of this case have been reported to have spread widely in the UK.

She hopes that cases of acute hepatitis do not occur in East Kalimantan. Therefore, parents are asked to maintain the health of their children.

"Because children are the successors of the Indonesian nation. They must be healthy and smart. So, don't panic easily and keep praying so that the people of East Kalimantan are protected from the disease," said Masitah.

Meanwhile, a member of Commission IV of the East Kalimantan DPRD, Ananda Emira Moeis, hopes that the public can anticipate the potential for acute hepatitis transmission from an early stage.

"We hope that there will be a hearing regarding this health issue, especially with the government, so that we all know about the preparations that have been made," she said.