Indonesia Keeps Eye on China's Flu A and HMPV Outbreaks
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Jakarta, VIVA – Recently, China has been experiencing the spread of respiratory diseases, namely influenza A and human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
Responding to this situation, the spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Drg. Widyawati, MKM, stated that cases of influenza A and HMPV have not been detected in Indonesia.
"Regarding the outbreak of influenza A and HMPV in China, no cases have been reported in Indonesia," Widyawati said on Friday (Jan 3).
Furthermore, Widyawati explained that the influenza A variant H5N1 had occurred in Indonesia between 2005 and 2017.
However, no new human cases have been reported since 2018. To date, cases of influenza A and HMPV remain confined to China.
"Influenza A of the H5N1 variant occurred in Indonesia between 2005 and 2017, but no new human cases have been reported since 2018," she said.
She added, "For the H5N6 and H9N2 variants, some cases have been reported in China, but these variants have never been detected in Indonesia. Based on the data and information we have collected, particularly from WHO, influenza A and HMPV cases remain confined to China."
Widyawati further explained that the spread of infectious diseases typically begins as an endemic in a specific region of a country, then expands to other countries as an epidemic, and can eventually escalate into a pandemic affecting multiple nations.
Several factors influence this process, including population mobility, environmental changes, community vulnerability, and virus mutations.
Ilustrasi flu, ingusan, bersin
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Currently, the government is focusing on surveillance, monitoring, and general reporting of emerging infectious diseases or new types of contagious illnesses.
"Influenza A is one of the virus variants under close observation due to concerns that it could potentially trigger a pandemic if it spreads widely among humans," Widyawati remarked.
She continued by stating that at present, influenza A is not at a dangerous level and has not raised significant concerns.
"In contrast, HMPV, a respiratory virus discovered in 2001, is similar to RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). It is more likely to affect children but can also infect adults with weakened immunity," she concluded.
