West Java Health Office Holds Immunization To Overcome Diphtheria Outbreaks

BANDUNG - The West Java Health Office conducted an Outbreak Response Immunization to tackle the diphtheria outbreak that recently occurred in Garut Regency.

According to the Head of the Disease Control and Prevention (P2P) Division of the West Java Provincial Health Office Rochady, the Outbreak Response Immunization (ORI) was just held in Pangatikan District, Garut Regency where a diphtheria outbreak occurred.

"So we have just done it in Garut Regency, especially in Pangatikan Sub-District which has tested positive, while six other areas are still conducting laboratory sampling," Rochady said in Bandung City reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 28.

He said, the target of ORI in Pangatikan District was more than 11,000 from the age group 0 to 11 months, babies under two years, school-aged children in grade 1, grade 2, and grade 5.

"But yesterday we faced heavy rain weather problems, so the target is 1,800 in the sub-district, only 800 targets have been immunized. So within a week, we will be pursuing ORI in Pangatikan District," he said.

The immunization effort, according to Rochady, is not only to increase immunity, but also in certain cases to isolate the spread of the disease so that it does not spread to other places.

"In addition, the application of health protocols must still be carried out because the method of spreading diphtheria is similar to COVID-19 through droplets, the use of cutlery and other tools simultaneously," he explained.

So far, according to Rochady, West Java has not designated the diphtheria case as an Extraordinary Event (KLB). Only the KLB was declared in Garut Regency.

Head of the West Java Health Office Surveillance Team, Dewi Ambarwati, said that some local residents were not aware of diphtheria, so they neglected the first treatment.

"The symptoms are fever and swallowing pain. Then if you look at the base of the throat there is a white membrane. Now that must be treated immediately because if it's too late, the poison from diphtheria can reach the heart, and that's what causes death," she said.

For six other areas where diphtheria was suspected, Dewi explained, the West Java Health Office was also handling it by giving Anti Diphtheria Serum (ADS), close contact tracing, and taking samples from suspects.

The six regions are Cianjur, Tasikmalaya, Indramayu, Karawang, West Bandung, Bogor City and Sukabumi.

"We have done treatment in the six areas, just waiting for the laboratory results," she said.

Dewi also said that it was planned that the wife of West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil, Atalia Praratya Ridwan Kamil, would visit Garut on Wednesday (1/3) tomorrow to convey condolences to the families of patients who died and to campaign for the importance of vaccination.