Govt warns of influenza epidemic

JAKARTA: The government says it has taken precautionary measures against the influenza epidemic and the possible reoccurrence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

The secretary of the communicable diseases directorate general, Syafii Ahmad, said on Thursday that Sulianti Suroso Infectious Diseases Hospital in Jakarta, environmental health centers and regional health offices had been asked to stay on alert.

"We also take early detection measures through epidemiology surveillance, besides providing information for people on preventive measures, how to raise their immunity, reduce pollution and live in a clean and healthy environment," said Syafii.

Vaccinations will also be given to people traveling to high- risk countries, such as Europe and the United States.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said in its website on Dec. 4 that six children had died of the disease (caused by type A/Fujian/411/2002-like influenza virus) in Britain, 11 children died in the United States of the same virus.

Influenza, caused by A(H3N2) virus, has developed in Europe and North America. In November, it spread to European, American and West Asian countries.-- JP