Thousand Islands Health Sub-District Office Urges Residents to Adopt Clean and Healthy Living Behaviours to Prevent Hantavirus Spread

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Thousand Islands Health Sub-District Office (Sudinkes) is urging the public to adopt Clean and Healthy Living Behaviours (PHBS) in their daily activities to prevent the spread of Hantavirus. “This step needs to be carried out to the maximum because this zoonotic disease is a serious concern, as it is transmitted through rats that are often found in the surrounding environment,” said the Head of the Thousand Islands Health Sub-District Office, dr. Ghamal Ahmad Pramana, in Jakarta on Tuesday. He explained that Hantavirus is transmitted to humans primarily through the respiratory route (inhalation), when someone inhales aerosols contaminated by urine, faeces, or saliva from infected rats. In addition, infection can occur through direct contact with broken skin or through rat bites. According to Ghamal, the virus generally triggers two severe medical conditions: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), characterised by fever, cough, shortness of breath, and fluid accumulation in the lungs; and Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), marked by fever, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, bleeding in the eyes, low blood pressure, and acute kidney impairment. Furthermore, storing food in tightly sealed, rat-proof containers and avoiding direct contact with rodents, as well as using traps if necessary. Ghamal revealed that the Thousand Islands Health Sub-District Office has implemented preventive measures including monitoring and verifying trends in Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ISPA) and pneumonia as part of an early warning system for Hantavirus type HPS. The public is urged to seek early detection if experiencing initial Hantavirus symptoms by visiting the nearest health facility to receive prompt and appropriate medical treatment. “We are also strengthening health promotion and the implementation of PHBS, which continues to be promoted by involving community health centres, hospitals, and related cross-sector organisations to educate the public,” Ghamal stated.