Ministry of Health: No confirmed Nipah virus cases in Indonesia

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Health has confirmed that there are no confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection in Indonesia, with all suspected cases reported across several regions returning negative laboratory results.

Director of Surveillance and Health Quarantine at the Ministry of Health, Sumarjaya, explained during an online discussion followed from Jakarta on Tuesday that there have been no confirmed reports of patients testing positive for Nipah virus in the country, despite 16 suspected cases being reported during the 2024–2026 period.

“All laboratory results were negative,” Sumarjaya said.

Based on Ministry of Health data, he said, there have been 16 suspected Nipah virus cases, all of which were declared negative. In 2026 so far, there have been two suspected cases, one each in Central Java and North Sulawesi.

Sumarjaya noted several risk factors for the Nipah virus entering the archipelago, including the detection of the virus in bats, with Indonesia being part of the range of fruit bats capable of carrying the virus.

Additionally, there are risk factors relating to high mobility and geographical proximity to countries that have previously reported cases, such as Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

Sumarjaya therefore emphasised the need for preventive measures against the entry of the Nipah virus into Indonesia, including at entry points for arrivals such as ports and airports.

“We know that transmission occurs through close contact. This means the risk has actually been communicated as low, but the important thing is prevention,” said Sumarjaya, Director of Surveillance and Health Quarantine at the Ministry of Health.