Govt warns of influenza epidemic

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