“Preventing ARI is far better than treating it. Start strengthening your immunity now,” Head of the Jakarta Health Office Ani Ruspitawati said in a statement here on Friday.
She said that unpredictable temperature shifts, ranging from intense heat to heavy rainfall, allow viruses and bacteria to develop more easily and enter the respiratory tract.
According to Ruspitawati, dry air and extreme fluctuations can weaken the body’s defenses, making people more vulnerable to coughs, colds, fever, and fatigue.
She added that the transitional season enables influenza viruses, adenoviruses, and bacteria that cause pneumonia to spread more easily. ARI risks also increase due to air pollution, poor ventilation, cigarette smoke, and low immunity.
Ruspitawati reminded the public to maintain personal and environmental hygiene as a simple yet effective preventive measure.
She encouraged residents to wear masks when needed, wash hands with soap and running water, avoid cigarette smoke, eat balanced meals, stay hydrated with at least eight glasses of water daily, and getting adequate rest.
The office also urged residents to stay alert to early ARI symptoms and seek medical care if they experience prolonged coughs, colds, or fever.
The Jakarta Health Office recorded 1,966,308 ARI cases from January to October 2025, with an increase observed since July.
“We continue to remind residents to stay vigilant and practice clean and healthy living, especially during this seasonal transition,” Ruspitawati said.
She said these efforts aim to reduce transmission and protect vulnerable groups as unstable weather continues across the capital in the coming months.
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Translator: Lia, Kenzu
Editor: Primayanti
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