Jumat 29 Jan 2016 21:22 WIB

Indonesia faces high risk of Zika virus spread

Rep: Puti Almas/ Red: Julkifli Marbun
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Foto: AP/Felipe Dane
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REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Ministry of Health recognized if case of Zika virus has been found in Indonesia in early 2015. This case first confirmed by Eijikman research institute from one of the hospitals in Jambi.

On January 27, 2016, the research team from Eijikman research wrote in their official website that Zika virus has been found after examining samples from 103 patients. This study was started from December 2014 until April 2015.

"The finding of Zika virus has been completed since in quite long time. At that time, the research team wanted to do a survey and they found this virus," Head of Communications and Community Care Ministry of Health, Oscar Primadi said on Friday (29/1).

The finding also affirmed that virus Zika potentially appears in Indonesia. Since Januari, dozens of countries in America were facing the danger of Zika virus. Neverthless, Oscar said there was no report of death in our country due to this virus infection.

So far, the impact of Zika virus was known from the cases of birth. For example, pregnant mother will give birth to an abnormal baby if she infected with this virus. Abnormal condition of the baby is like she/he has a smaller head than normal size.

Zika virus was carried by Aedes mosquitoes, which also spread the virus that causes dengue hemorrhagic fever (DBD). Oscar explained, one of the efforts to prevent this virus is to eradicate of mosquito nest. However, he urged people to drain and close the clean water storage, and bury the reservoir puddle.

"Aedes mosquitoes breed the place of clean water. So don't make change to those mosquitoes, such as throw away and bury the drink bottles and old tires," Oscar added.

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