"Regarding Flurona, it is not a new variant of COVID-19, but multiple infections, which means there are two types of viruses that infect a person (at the same time)," Zubairi Djoerban explained when contacted by ANTARA here on Monday.
He made the statement in response to reports of a pregnant woman in Israel getting infected with two viruses--influenza and coronavirus--at the same time. Such a condition is caused by a weak immune system, he said adding, such cases are, therefore, rare.
However, it is still possible for the two viruses to infect someone simultaneously because both viruses are transmitted through the air or droplets and attack the respiratory tract, Djoerban said.
Despite the similarities in the way they are transmitted, COVID-19 and influenza have different causes, he pointed out. Thus, their treatment requires different drugs or vaccines, he said.
"No need to be worried because influenza is very rarely found in Indonesia, especially the one that causes death. Influenza should not be confused with the flu that Indonesians commonly catch," he added.
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According to Djoerban, the flu that many Indonesians suffer from is a type of common cold that causes a person to cough, sneeze, and develop a runny nose. The disease is not the same as influenza, which is seen in countries with cold winters like the United States and causes sufferers to develop severe symptoms such as pneumonia or death, he explained.
Still, given the current COVID-19 situation in the country, all parties must remain vigilant and not act arrogantly, the task force head said.
He urged everyone to prioritize health protocols and get vaccinated to prevent COVID-19.
"The most important thing to ward off viruses, especially COVID-19, is vaccination. Therefore, those who have not been inoculated twice, get vaccinated as soon as possible," he remarked.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
