House of Representatives Commission IX Urges Public Not to Panic After Hantavirus Found in Jakarta
Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, Yahya Zaini, has responded to the discovery of four hantavirus cases in Jakarta throughout 2026. Yahya urged the public not to panic and to increase vigilance.
“With the discovery of hantavirus cases in Jakarta, I ask the public to increase vigilance while remaining calm and not panicking. I ask the government to act quickly to handle the cases that have occurred,” Yahya told reporters on Wednesday (13/5/2026).
He explained that hantavirus is a virus transmitted by animals such as rodents. He stated that hantavirus can cause serious illness and even death in humans.
“Hantavirus transmission is not from human to human but from rodents to humans, either through inhalation or in open air, direct contact with rodent urine, saliva, and faeces, or through rodent bites,” he said.
Yahya said that preventive measures need to be taken by the public by keeping homes clean from rodents. He also urged the use of personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves when cleaning potentially contaminated areas.
“The prevention pattern for hantavirus is by keeping homes clean from rodents, using personal protective equipment (such as masks and gloves) when doing work that involves contact with rodents. In addition, use disinfectant when cleaning rooms contaminated by rodent faeces,” he explained.
Yahya assessed that the Health Ministry’s steps to strengthen surveillance through thermal scanners, visual observation, and the travel participant surveillance system are appropriate. However, Yahya asked the government to continue tightening surveillance at Indonesia’s entry points.
“The steps taken by the Health Ministry to strengthen surveillance at entry points through thermal scanners, visual observation, and the travel participant surveillance system are very appropriate. We hope this is carried out well so that there is no potential spread of hantavirus through those entry points,” he explained.
In addition, this Golkar politician said that the Health Ministry has prepared a laboratory network with PCR testing and whole genome sequencing (WGS) capabilities. It has also strengthened the readiness of 198 networked hospitals for handling emerging infectious diseases across Indonesia.
“For that reason, we hope that the spread of hantavirus in Indonesia can be handled well and the public is urged not to panic and to comply with the health protocols conveyed by health authorities (in this case, the Health Ministry and provincial and district/city health offices) regarding hantavirus,” he stated.
“For that reason, the Health Ministry along with local health offices should continuously carry out socialisation and education to the public regarding hantavirus, especially in terms of promotive and preventive aspects,” he added.
Cleanliness Must Be Maintained
Meanwhile, member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, Irma Suryani Chaniago, highlighted the discovery of these hantavirus cases. According to her, the virus has actually been found in Indonesia in recent years.
“Actually, this virus is difficult to exist in Indonesia, recorded in the period 2024-2026 there were 23 cases of the HFRS type that attacks the kidneys,” she said.
Irma reminded that both communicable and non-communicable diseases are equally dangerous. Therefore, she asked the public to increase awareness of maintaining home and environmental cleanliness.
“Currently, communicable and non-communicable diseases are equally dangerous, so to maintain public health, it is necessary to understand the importance of keeping homes and the environment clean,” she said.
This NasDem DPP Chairman urged the public to keep their homes free from rodents. In addition, masks and gloves must be used when cleaning rodent nests.
“Especially keeping homes clean to be free from rodents, using masks and gloves when cleaning rodent nests, and not dry-sweeping rodent faeces so that any viruses possibly in the faeces do not fly around,” she added.
According to her, the Health Ministry needs to issue a circular regarding hantavirus. She said that although hantavirus has not yet become an outbreak, anticipatory steps are still needed.
“In order to anticipate the spread of this virus, the Health Ministry needs to issue a circular so that all hospitals report suspected patients to the Health Ministry so that its spread can be anticipated,” she stated.
Previously, the Head of the Jakarta Health Office, Ani Ruspitawati, revealed the discovery of four hantavirus cases in Jakarta throughout 2026. The Jakarta Health Office stated that three of them have recovered and one is still suspected.
“In 2026, in our records throughout 2026 up to now, there are four cases that we have found, three people have recovered, with mild symptoms. One person is now still suspected, the diagnosis must be confirmed through laboratory testing, not yet confirmed (certain), still suspected,” Ani said at the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives on Monday (11/5/2026).
Ani explained that hantavirus is not a new disease. The virus has long been monitored and is different from COVID-19, which is classified as a new or new emerging disease.