The level of risk in Jakarta is relatively higher than in other provinces
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Jakarta Health Office is mitigating the risks of transmission of the current clade of H5N1 virus, called clade 2.3.4.4b, to prevent extraordinary events, such as widespread poultry disease.

"We must be able to mitigate it, so it will not become a problem in Jakarta and Indonesia," Head of the Jakarta Health Office Widyastuti stated during a seminar on bird flu prevention here on Thursday.

Widyastuti stated that one of the mitigation efforts is educating the community about the prevention steps against the spread of bird flu.

The province's health office also bolstered preparedness in terms of the clinical aspect, such as at hospitals, local health centers, clinics, and professional health organizations.

As of now, clade 2.3.4.4b has not been detected in Jakarta, but comprehensive mitigation should be conducted, considering the high public mobility that can transmit the bird flu virus more easily, she emphasized.

"The level of risk in Jakarta is relatively higher than in other provinces," Widyastuti stated.

Two reported deaths due to the avian influenza H5N1 new variant 2.3.4.4b clade in Cambodia has alerted several countries, including Indonesia.

"With information on bird flu cases in Cambodia, we both need to mitigate," Widyastuti remarked.

Indonesia reported avian influenza cases in 2005, while in 2006, some 55 cases were reported, with 45 cases of death.

According to Widyastuti, during that time, H5N1 cases in Jakarta were higher than those in other regions in the country.

The bird flu cases, both in the capital city and Indonesia, continued to decline until they reappeared in 2017.

"Bird flu is transmitted via poultry, and there is no clear information that states it spreads through human-to-human infection," she explained.

Earlier, the Ministry of Health had expressed its concern regarding the tendency of 2.3.4.4b infecting humans following the finding of a case in poultry in a farm in South Kalimantan.

"There are currently no reports of transmission to humans. However, we still have to be vigilant," the Ministry's Director General of Disease Prevention and Control, Rein Rondonuwu, stated on Monday (February 27).

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Translator: Dewa W, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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