IDAI Considers Measles-Diphtheria Cases More Urgent Than Hantavirus
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Paediatric Society (IDAI) considers cases of several diseases such as measles and diphtheria more urgent for the government to address than hantavirus.
“What concerns me is that our house is already on fire. There are so many infectious cases in Indonesia, and we do not have sufficient resources, so to speak, to tackle them,” said Member of IDAI’s Tropical Infectious Diseases Coordinating Unit Prof. Dr. Dominicus Husada, dr., DTM&H., MCTM(TP)., Sp.A., Subsp.IPT., CTH during an online discussion in Jakarta on Friday.
Dominicus highlighted that these diseases have not been optimally managed and have even spread in certain areas in recent times.
“Diphtheria has been with us for over a dozen years. Measles, starting from 2-3 years ago until today, is still not resolved,” he said.
Although he did not provide data, he assessed that cases of diseases like measles, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are far higher than hantavirus, which has been detected or previously recorded in Indonesia.
“I mean, our prevention efforts, for example, are still more important in my view because we have many more cases. And the facts show that many of our people are not adequately protected,” Dominicus stated.
He explained that the hanta virus is a group of viruses primarily carried by rodents such as mice, causing disease. Although rare, it can lead to death in humans.
Humans are usually infected by inhaling virus particles in the air (airborne) from mouse urine, faeces, or saliva, especially in enclosed spaces. Transmission through broken skin can also occur, though cases are rare.
Symptoms do not appear immediately; according to him, they emerge one to eight weeks after contact with an infected person.
Initial symptoms include fever, muscle pain, and fatigue. Patients may also experience severe breathing difficulties due to serious lung impairment and low blood pressure.
To date, there is no vaccine or specific treatment to combat hantavirus. Patients often end up in the ICU.