JAKARTA - The latest surge in respiratory tract infections in a number of countries in Asia presents urgent public health challenges and requires immediate attention and action. COVID-19 cases are increasing in countries such as Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong.
In Singapore, the spike in COVID-19 cases occurred two years after Singapore lifted all pandemic restrictions in February 2023 and COVID-19 status as the current endemic. Singapore's Ministry of Health estimates that the spike in cases will occur due to a decline in group immunity.
Individuals over 60 years of age and over or having susceptible medical conditions can experience severe symptoms. In addition, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia said that the world is currently facing challenges in the form of tripledemics where COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) are circulating simultaneously.
In dealing with tripledemic, what is very worrying is the condition of the elderly in Indonesia which is projected to reach 14.6 percent of the total population. The population of elderly people who have chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and lung is more susceptible to respiratory infections, and with the increasing elderly population, the potential for health and economic burdens due to acute respiratory channels in the elderly need to be a serious concern.
With the increasing proportion of the elderly population and the challenges faced by the elderly in Indonesia quite significantly, especially in terms of health and independence levels, preventive and promotive efforts are needed to maintain the health of the elderly and improve the quality of life for the elderly. In line with the Commemoration of National Elderly Health Day (HLUN) in Indonesia which falls every May 29, this is an important momentum for the community to reflect on the importance of respecting, respecting, and caring for the elderly.
One of the tripledemic-related viruses, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) has a higher clinical severity compared to COVID-19 and influenza. A higher percentage of hospitalization measures was found in RSV patients compared to COVID-19 and influenza, which include the need for oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation, mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit (ICU)4. In addition, RSV infections generally have higher transmission rates than COVID-195.6.
RSV is a common respiratory tract virus and usually causes symptoms similar to mild influenza, but can also infect the lungs. General symptoms of RSV include colds, coughs, fever, sore throats, sneezing, headaches, breathing problems, so it is not easy to distinguish from other respiratory viruses such as influenza or COVID-197.8.
However, in some cases such as in the elderly or in people with low immune systems, RSV infection can cause moderate to severe infection, such as pneumonia or broncholitis (inflamed in small airways in the lungs).
RSV is often considered a child disease, but RSV has been associated with a high disease burden in the elderly. The death rate due to RSV in adult inpatients based on a study in Thailand is 15.9 percent.
The burden of disease in the elderly is partly due to decreased immunity along with increasing age, this causes the body to become vulnerable to virus infection, including RSV15. RSV significantly affects the health condition of the elderly and individuals who have comorbidities.
The RSV virus can spread when people infected cough or sneezing near us, or through direct contact with people infected with RSV (for example kissing infected toddlers), including by touching the surface contaminated with virus 9. RSV virus drop can be transmitted by coughing or sneezing into the eyes, nose, mouth or on the surface like a door handle.
One infected person can generally transmit the virus up to 3-5 people. So that this RSV infection is more susceptible to occur during mass gatherings such as Hajj and Umrah moments and these risks can also increase during trips during the holiday season or when gathering with extended families where the elderly population is also present.
The burden of RSV on the elderly is greater because the examination of the RSV virus has not been followed up in the diagnosis process for people who show symptoms of respiratory tract infection. Currently, there is no special treatment for RSV.
Therefore, it is very important to prevent the spread of RSV by applying good hygiene, such as covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing your hands regularly, and cleaning the surface that is often touched. In addition, other prevention methods include using masks, and implementing physical distancing.
Given the symptoms of RSV infection that are difficult to distinguish from other respiratory tract infections, a diagnosis for RSV that is often not considered, and no specific treatment yet available, preventing RSV infection with vaccination is a way to protect individuals at risk from infection with RSV. Vaccination of RSV is recommended for seniors and individuals at high risk.
Reswita Dery Gisriani, as the Communication, Government Affairs & Market Access Director, GSK Indonesia, based on research with a mathematical projection approach, the number of infections due to RSV in Southeast Asia is estimated to reach 7.2 million cases in three years.
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"In Indonesia alone, the number of cases is predicted to reach 6.1 million in the same period 26. This data is an important reminder for all of us that the urgency of increasing education is to prevent the spread of RSV infections, especially in Indonesia," he explained, Friday, May 30.
Reswita added, at GSK, his party is committed to partnering with the government and health workers in expanding access to innovative drugs and vaccines to meet the growing needs of individuals and communities to build a healthier future for Indonesian people.
"In addition, we have ongoing efforts including AyoKitaVaksin social media and the CegahRSV microsite. We also encourage the public to discuss with health workers in determining the necessary precautions for the specific needs of each individual," he explained.
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