Hepatitis outbreak hits Banyumas

Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Purwokerto

An outbreak of hepatitis has taken hold in Purwokerto and Banyumas, Central Java, with more and more local people, including students, infected with the contagious disease.

Lilik and Slamet, students of Soedirman University in Purwokerto, said at least 20 percent of students living in boardinghouses near the campus were suffering from the disease.

"According to our basic survey, at least 20 percent of residents of all boarding houses near the campus are suffering from hepatitis. We are concerned as the university has done nothing to control the rapid spread of the disease," said Lilik.

Margono Sukardjo, chief of the local administration's general hospital, confirmed that the hospital noted a significant increase in the number of hepatitis sufferers in the small town.

According to data at the hospital, the number of local people who had contracted hepatitis rose to 50 this month from 30 in July 2001. While at privately run Elisabeth hospital the number of hepatitis patients had increased to 51, with 39 of them in a serious condition.

Mambodiyanto, an internist at the hospital, said the disease which attacks liver and could lead to cancer of the liver, might have been transferred through plates and glasses in canteens near the boardinghouses.

"An infected student could transfer the virus to fellow students eating in the same cafeteria through plates and glasses," he said adding that the virus could also be transmitted through blood transfusions and physical contact such as kissing and sex.

He added that transmission also occurred among families, especially those unfamiliar with the disease and people living in remote areas.

The infectious disease has raised concern among local people and civil servants in Banyumas regency.

Kholid Kan, chief of the local health ministry office, said on Tuesday that his office would launch an antihepatitis campaign among local people, including students, to improve their awareness about the infectious disease.

"We also plan to carry out an immunization program through public health centers. We ask those who have not yet contracted hepatitis to join the program so that the disease does not spread further.

Didi Rudiyanto, spokesman for the local administration, said the local administration was running short of funds to improve the quality of local people's health.

"Of the 294 billion allocated by the central government this year for the regency, only Rp 17 billion will be spent on health services," he said.