We must pay attention to diseases that appear after the COVID-19 pandemic, namely influenzaJakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized the need for scientific proof in connection with reports of cases of bird flu suspected to have spread to humans in South Kalimantan in early February 2023.
"The cases of bird flu transmission to humans must be proven based on scientific data and evidence. We have to oversee the surveillance of poultry and check how many sudden death cases are occurring in birds," he noted after inaugurating the Kanigata Building at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) in Jakarta, Friday.
Sadikin called on the research team to collect blood samples at the earliest for testing through the genome sequencing method in a bid to check the type of virus variant in the patient.
"If it turns out that the virus is H5N1, then it is bird flu with contamination from animals or poultry. Our surveillance team is checking the condition of the poultry in that area," he remarked.
Sadikin noted that his ministry has collaborated with the Agriculture Ministry regarding surveillance efforts in South Kalimantan.
The minister confirmed that until now, there has been no human-to-human transmission of bird flu. Prevention efforts are being made by wearing masks, diligently washing hands, and increasing supervision.
"We must pay attention to diseases that appear after the COVID-19 pandemic, namely influenza. Influenza is a virus that uses the names H, N, H1, N1, H5N1, and H3N3. All of them use H or N words," he explained.
The Ministry of Health has issued a Director General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) Circular Letter Number PV.03.01/C/824/2023 concerning Precautions Against Extraordinary Events of Bird Flu (H5N1) New Clade 2.3.4.4b, which was stipulated on February 24, 2023.
Meanwhile, Professor of Molecular Biology at Airlangga University, Chairul Anwar Nidom, stated that the transmission of bird flu to humans is rare, but the possibility is still open, so it must not be taken lightly.
"The World Health Organization (WHO) informed that bird flu transmission to humans was rare but could happen," he noted.
However, Nidom suggested the public to not harbor concerns since until now, no incidents of human-to-human bird flu transmission had been reported.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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