DKI Residents Asked Not To Be Worry When Receiving Nipah Virus Information

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Health Service (Dinkes) is increasing monitoring of the spread of the Nipah Virus which is occurring in several countries by inviting residents of the capital city to always maintain personal hygiene.

"Continue to maintain cleanliness by washing your hands using soap and running water. Then cook the food until cooked at a temperature above 70 degrees Celsius," said Head of the Epidemiology and Immunization Surveillance Section of the DKI Jakarta Health Service Ngabila Salama, quoted from Antara, Thursday, September 28 .

Apart from that, Ngabila asked residents not to worry about the emergence of information related to the Nipah Virus. Residents must remain alert and careful in dealing with the virus.

Ngabila explained that the Nipah Virus is a viral infection whose symptoms are like those in general, namely high fever, muscle aches, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, coughing and runny nose.

Symptoms of the Nipah Virus can make a person have severe shortness of breath within one to two days.

"Symptoms of the Nipah Virus will cause severe shortness of breath within 24 to 48 hours from the first symptoms and can cause coma because the virus spreads to the brain, resulting in decreased consciousness," explained Ngabila.

The transmission of this virus is through animals such as bats and pigs which have direct contact with humans through fluids such as saliva, blood or urine. Then, the liquid accidentally comes into direct contact or through food and drink.

"It's accidentally handled or eaten, it enters through human eyes, nose or mouth," said Ngabila.

The Nipah virus has an incubation period from the time the virus enters until the first symptoms appear, around four to 45 days, said Ngabila.

Therefore, Ngabila reminded the public that if they experience symptoms such as fever or muscle and joint pain, or shortness of breath, immediately go to the hospital to be checked and followed up.

Previously, the Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) had issued a Circular Letter from the Director General of Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health Number HK.02.02/C/4022/2023 concerning Precautions against Nipah Virus Disease.

In this circular, the Ministry of Health asked the Port Health Office (KKP), Health Service, and health service facilities (fasyankes) in the regions to monitor cases and affected countries at the global level.

The Ministry of Health also asked relevant stakeholders to always increase supervision of people (crew, personnel and passengers), transport equipment, luggage, the environment, vectors, disease-carrying animals at ports, airports and cross-border posts, especially those originating from infected country.