MP: Government to Strengthen Surveillance to Prevent Hantavirus Entry

Magelang - A member of the DPR’s Commission IX, Vita Ervina, hopes that the government will promptly strengthen the health surveillance and screening system, especially in Indonesia’s waters, to prevent the hantavirus from entering the mainland. “We certainly hope that our maritime borders have special screenings so that the virus does not enter Indonesia. Protection for the crew (Anak Buah Kapal) of cruise ships must also be a priority,” she said during a visit to Magelang Regency for the socialisation of the National Health Insurance-Indonesian Health Card (JKN-KIS) Programme in Magelang on Monday. The increasing concern over the spread of hantavirus on cruise ships, she said, requires serious attention from all relevant parties. She assessed that preventive measures must be taken from the outset, particularly for all cruise ships entering Indonesian waters. In addition to checks at ports, she said, cruise ships are also requested to conduct internal health checks before docking. This, she stated, is important to prevent transmission between passengers and between crew members during the voyage. She conveyed that surveillance must not be taken lightly just because cases occur at sea. Because, she said, the potential for transmission can still occur when passengers or crew disembark onto land. “Don’t think that because it happens on a cruise ship, it won’t affect us. When they disembark from the ship, there is certainly a possibility of infecting people on land. Therefore, screening must be strengthened,” she said. She also encouraged all cruise ship operators to improve health standards and provide special attention to all crew members and passengers in order to prevent the virus from spreading further. She hopes that the government will immediately take anticipatory steps through stricter health checks at international port entrances so that the spread of the virus can be prevented early.