Public Urged to Adopt Healthy Habits to Prevent Hantavirus

Jakarta City Council Commission E Secretary, Justin Adrian, has urged the public to adopt Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) to anticipate the transmission of the Andes Hantavirus.

must continue to be promoted as a preventive effort

According to him, the healthy living movement needs to be intensified as a preventive measure following the emergence of suspected Hantavirus cases in Indonesia.

“The healthy living movement among the community must continue to be promoted as a preventive effort,” he expressed, Tuesday (5/12).

Hantavirus, No Panic But Stay Vigilant

He also requested the Jakarta government to increase vigilance after two suspected cases of Hantavirus appeared in Indonesia, one of which is located in Jakarta.

Justin assessed that the spread of Hantavirus, previously linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius, must be taken seriously by both the local government and the public.

“This is not a disease to be taken lightly. Since it first occurred aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, the virus has spread. Now, Singapore has also isolated two of its citizens suspected of being exposed to the virus,” he explained.

He explained that the Health Ministry had reported two suspected Hantavirus cases in Indonesia, located in Jakarta and Yogyakarta, respectively.

“The ministry recently reported that two of our people are suspected of having Hantavirus, one in Jakarta and one in Yogyakarta. Hence, the Jakarta government must increase its alertness. We can't let this case slip through and eventually spread more widely in Jakarta,” he explained.

Besides increasing vigilance, Justin emphasized that supervision must be tightened in residential environments and at the treatment locations of suspected Hantavirus patients.

“The areas around the residences and treatment sites of patients must be strictly monitored. We must ensure this virus does not spread to others,” he explained.

He urged the public that Hantavirus is not a disease that can be underestimated, as it is potentially fatal. He pointed to eight cases linked to the virus outbreak on the MV Hondius, where three patients were reported to have died.

"This virus is deadly. While its spread is currently limited and we hope it remains controlled, three people have already died from it. Thereby, we must face this seriously,” he explained.

Regarding the suspected patient in Jakarta, Justin encouraged the Jakarta government to immediately take preventive steps to curb further spread.

“Preventive measures must be taken. Since one of the suspected Hantavirus patients is in Jakarta, their movements and interaction history need to be traced. It must be determined where the patient has been and whom they have interacted with,” he concluded.