Hepatitis outbreak hits Banyumas

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.