Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Health Benjamin Paulus Octavianus emphasized strengthening health quarantine as a preventive step against the entry of the Nipah virus into Indonesia, following cases in India since September.
"Strict control is the most important thing. With tight control, our health quarantine must be strengthened. Whenever I visit any airport in Indonesia, I always go to our Health Quarantine Center. I check that at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, every terminal has it, for arrivals and departures. From what I have seen, it is good," he said at the Palace here on Monday.
He explained the Nipah virus is highly infectious and has a high fatality rate, although global case numbers remain relatively small, unlike those of COVID-19.
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He noted there have been two cases in India so far, and local authorities have imposed strict controls, including area restrictions in affected regions.
Several other countries, including Thailand, have also tightened airport surveillance.
"Thailand is very strict at its airports. India has also imposed blocks. (However,) the total cases have not reached 1,000 since 1998. It is not like COVID, but if infected it is highly infectious," he said.
He added the Nipah virus has not been detected domestically to date. However, vigilance must be maintained through strict controls, especially at national entry points.
Regarding symptoms, he said the virus typically causes fever, but can progress to severe lung infections and pneumonia with a high fatality rate.
"So it is very dangerous, but across India there are only two cases among 1.5 billion people, so we remain vigilant and continue strengthening controls at entry points," he concluded.