Wamenkes Emphasizes Nipah Virus Has Not Entered Indonesia

Deputy Minister of Health (Wamenkes) Benyamin Paulus Octavianus was accompanied by the Governor of DIY Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X at the Kepatihan complex, Yogyakarta, Thursday (29/1/2026). ANTARA/Luqman Hakim

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Health (Wamenkes) Benyamin Paulus Octavianus emphasized that until now the Nipah virus has not entered Indonesia.

"It's true that today it hasn't reached Indonesia," said Deputy Minister of Health Benyamin after meeting with the Governor of DIY Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X at the Kepatihan Complex, Yogyakarta, Thursday, January 29, reported by ANTARA.

He explained that the Nipah virus has been known since 1998 and until now the number of cases globally is still limited.

This year, he said, there were only two cases reported in India, although the death rate from the virus is high.

"The number of cases in the world has not reached 1,000 cases. So, it has not reached Indonesia," said the Minister of Health.

According to him, the Indian government immediately took strict handling measures to prevent the spread of the virus to other countries. Meanwhile, Thailand as a transit country has also increased vigilance through screening.

"So in India they immediately implemented a lockdown. They also did not want the case to fly to other countries. But Thailand as a transit place, it was immediately precautionary," he continued.

Regarding anticipation measures in the country, the Minister of Health said Indonesia has a detection mechanism at the airport, including monitoring the body temperature of passengers.

However, the Minister of Health emphasized that strict screening, as applied during the COVID-19 pandemic, had not yet been implemented.

"Indonesia automatically has screening. So we have detection tools at the airport that high temperatures can be detected. But indeed, the screening process like COVID has not been done," he said.