Hepatitis outbreak hits Banyumas<\/p>\n
Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto<\/p>\n
An outbreak of hepatitis has taken hold in Purwokerto and
\nBanyumas, Central Java, with more and more local people,
\nincluding students, infected with the contagious disease.<\/p>\n
Lilik and Slamet, students of Soedirman University in
\nPurwokerto, said at least 20 percent of students living in
\nboardinghouses near the campus were suffering from the disease.<\/p>\n
\"According to our basic survey, at least 20 percent of
\nresidents of all boarding houses near the campus are suffering
\nfrom hepatitis. We are concerned as the university has done
\nnothing to control the rapid spread of the disease,\" said Lilik.<\/p>\n
Margono Sukardjo, chief of the local administration's general
\nhospital, confirmed that the hospital noted a significant
\nincrease in the number of hepatitis sufferers in the small town.<\/p>\n
According to data at the hospital, the number of local people
\nwho had contracted hepatitis rose to 50 this month from 30 in
\nJuly 2001. While at privately run Elisabeth hospital the number
\nof hepatitis patients had increased to 51, with 39 of them in a
\nserious condition.<\/p>\n
Mambodiyanto, an internist at the hospital, said the disease
\nwhich attacks liver and could lead to cancer of the liver, might
\nhave been transferred through plates and glasses in canteens near
\nthe boardinghouses.<\/p>\n
\"An infected student could transfer the virus to fellow
\nstudents eating in the same cafeteria through plates and
\nglasses,\" he said adding that the virus could also be transmitted
\nthrough blood transfusions and physical contact such as kissing
\nand sex.<\/p>\n
He added that transmission also occurred among families,
\nespecially those unfamiliar with the disease and people living in
\nremote areas.<\/p>\n
The infectious disease has raised concern among local people
\nand civil servants in Banyumas regency.<\/p>\n
Kholid Kan, chief of the local health ministry office, said on
\nTuesday that his office would launch an antihepatitis campaign
\namong local people, including students, to improve their
\nawareness about the infectious disease.<\/p>\n
\"We also plan to carry out an immunization program through
\npublic health centers. We ask those who have not yet contracted
\nhepatitis to join the program so that the disease does not spread
\nfurther.<\/p>\n
Didi Rudiyanto, spokesman for the local administration, said
\nthe local administration was running short of funds to improve
\nthe quality of local people's health.<\/p>\n
\"Of the 294 billion allocated by the central government this
\nyear for the regency, only Rp 17 billion will be spent on health
\nservices,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hepatitis-outbreak-hits-banyumas-1447893297",
"image": ""
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