Jakarta, Nov 9 (ANTARA News) - Health Minister Nila Moeloek confirmed that she still awaits the health laboratory center results on the issue of spread of the Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus in the island of Bali.

"It is still being explored. We ask whether the health center laboratory is correct or not (the case)," Moeloek stated at the Ministry of Health Building in Jakarta, Friday.

According to Moeloek, the Ministry of Health has been conducting immunizations in Bali in a bid to prevent the spread of JE virus.

"We have conducted JE immunization, specifically in Bali," she remarked.

The results of reports received by Moeloek indicate no case of JE in North Sulawesi.

"North Sulawesi has no case of JE," she noted.

The Australian government has issued a travel advisory for its citizens planning to travel to Indonesia, especially to Bali, due to cases of the spread of JE.

According to information on the official website Smartraveller.gov.au, although the risk of contracting the JE infection is low, Australians are urged to protect themselves from mosquito bites and get vaccinated before traveling.

The disease caused by the JE virus is transmitted through mosquito bites to humans. This virus causes inflammation of the brain membranes. In some cases, this disease can lead to blindness and paralysis, some of which even lead to coma and death.

The JE virus is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites but can also be transmitted through birds, bats, cows, and pigs.



Reporting by Anita Permata Dewi

(E002/B/INE/B003)

EDITED BY INE



(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/C/B003) 09-11-2018 17:56:27

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Editor: Eliswan Azly
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