Beware Of Severe Pneumonia From China

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The world community is troubled by the severe pneumonia outbreak that originated in the city of Wuhan, China. As of January 21, 2020, there have been 224 cases with 4 deaths. Other countries that have found this case are Japan (1 case), South Korea (1 case), and Thailand (2 cases).

Even though until now there have been no reports of people in Indonesia contracting severe pneumonia, the disease caused by the new Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) still has to be watched out for.

Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division of the DKI Health Service, Dwi Oktavia, explained that according to the development of the case, this disease can be transmitted between humans on a limited basis. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine that can prevent this disease.

"Although no pneumonia sufferers have been found in DKI Jakarta, there should be precautionary and preventive measures that can be taken by the community to avoid transmission of pneumonia," Dwi said in a statement received by VOI, Thursday, January 23.

For people who experience symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath and have just returned from an infected country within 14 days before being sick, they are advised to immediately seek treatment at the nearest Puskesmas / Hospital.

"Provide information to doctors and health workers about travel history," he said.

Next, cover your mouth or nose when sneezing. If necessary, cover the cough with a tissue. Then, use a mask if you are sick with symptoms of respiratory tract infections such as fever, cough and flu.

Then, wash your hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing, before and after preparing food, before eating, after using the toilet, after caring for animals.

"Wash your hands with running water and soap and rinse for about 20 seconds. If water is not available, you can use hand sanitizer that contains 70-80 percent alcohol," Dwi explained.

Furthermore, if you are sick, reduce activities outside the home and limit contact with other people.