Beware Hantavirus: Immune Strength and Environmental Hygiene Are Key
Hantavirus cases have been identified in several regions of Indonesia. The public is urged to pay more attention to body immunity and environmental hygiene as preventive measures against infection. According to data from the Ministry of Health, 23 hantavirus cases were recorded across nine provinces from 2023 to May 2026, with the highest number of cases in DKI Jakarta. Cases in Indonesia are generally caused by the Seoul virus, transmitted via exposure to urine or faeces of infected rats.
Hantavirus is an RNA virus group carried by rodents, especially rats, and can cause serious disorders in the lungs or kidneys. Transmission most often occurs through air particles contaminated by urine, saliva, or dried rat faeces, especially in enclosed spaces such as warehouses, empty houses, or areas not cleaned for a long time.
Although most hantavirus types are not transmissible between humans, Andes virus is a rare exception with a limited possibility of transmission through close and prolonged contact.
Early symptoms of hantavirus often mimic flu: fever, muscle pains, headaches, nausea, weakness, and gastrointestinal disturbances. In some conditions, infection can rapidly progress to serious pulmonary and renal disorders. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS/HCPS) is known to have a mortality rate of around 30-40%, while Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS) ranges from 1-15% depending on the virus type.
In response to these developments, PT Pyridam Farma Tbk (IDX: PYFA) has urged the public to strengthen body immunity through healthy living and vitamin supplementation.
Dr. Carlinda Nekawaty, Medical Expert at PYFA, explained that maintaining health requires a holistic approach through four main pillars: regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate rest, and appropriate supplementation. She noted that supplementation is one of the crucial aspects in helping meet micronutrient needs that are often not fully met by daily meals.
‘Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant guardian, helping protect body tissues from inflammation-related damage. Its intake should be paired with vitamin D3, which helps activate T cells in the immune system, especially since many people remain unknowingly deficient in vitamin D. Zinc also helps maintain cellular defence functions and supports the body in limiting virus progression so infections do not spread more widely,’ said Dr. Carlinda.
Through this health education, the public is expected to better understand the importance of maintaining health consistently through a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition. With disciplined preventive measures, people can protect themselves and their families while going about daily activities safely. As a practical and trusted extra protective measure, vitamin and mineral supplements to meet nutrition needs can be accessed from PYFAHealth.
In addition to supplementation, the public is advised to stay active or exercise at least 150 minutes per week, consume nutritionally balanced foods, and ensure adequate sleep to optimise the body’s recovery process.
Maintaining environmental hygiene is also important, especially by restricting rodent entry, storing food in sealed containers, and cleaning areas exposed to rodent droppings using disinfectant and personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks. Areas that are contaminated should not be cleaned by dry sweeping or using a vacuum cleaner, as this can increase the risk of aerosolised virus particles in the air.
The Banten Provincial Government has increased health surveillance at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to anticipate possible entry of hantavirus into the Banten region.
Hantavirus has again become a focus after reports that several passengers of the cruise ship MV Hondius, sailing to Tenerife, Spain, were infected with the virus.