Health Minister Asks Public to Beware of Avian Flu Transmission
It is feared that the H5N1 virus could trigger the next pandemic if it mutates and is transmitted between humans. An avian flu has been detected in unvaccinated Peking duck commercial farms in Kalimantan in May 2022.
By
AHMAD ARIF, DEONISIA ARLINTA
·6 minutes read
KOMPAS
Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Friday (3/3/2023), asked the public to be aware of the transmission of the H5N1 bird flu virus which can be transmitted from animals to humans, although the potential is still low.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin asked the public to be aware of the transmission of the H5N1 bird flu virus, which can be transmitted from animals to humans, although the potential is still low. The Health Ministry together with the Agriculture Ministry will strengthen public health surveillance by conducting early detection of poultry. People who experience flu symptoms should quickly go to a health facility.
It is feared that the H5N1 virus could trigger the next pandemic if it mutates and is transmitted between humans. In Indonesia, an avian flu virus with a new clade 2.3.4.4b has been detected in unvaccinated Peking duck commercial farms in South Kalimantan in May 2022. Increased mortality of waterfowl, such as ducks, was also reported between April and November 2022.
Budi asked the public not to worry, but to continue to adopt healthy clean living behaviors to avoid contagion. Communities, especially breeders, are also asked to immediately report a large number of poultry deaths.
"This bird flu spreads from animals to humans. We have not found human to human infection. There was a report about it, but we have to prove it. So, we have to strengthen surveillance in poultry. If there are a lot of dead birds, we have to take some blood samples for testing," Budi said when met at Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta, on Friday (3/3/2023).
"The prevention is to wear a mask and wash our hands diligently. The point is to adopt a clean and healthy lifestyle," said Budi.
He also asked people to immediately come to a health facility if they experience symptoms of bird flu or have come into contact with risk factors. Common symptoms caused by bird flu in humans include fever, weakness, a cough, sore throat, stomach pains, chest pains and diarrhea.
The KLB
The government has determined the status of Avian Influenza (H5N1) Extraordinary Events through a Circular Letter of the Director General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) No PV.03.01/C/824/2023 since 24 February 2023. Head of the regency/city health office and the head of the Port Health Office (KKP) must make efforts to prevent and control bird flu in humans.
The Agriculture Ministry (Kementan) also issued Circular No 16183/PK.320/F/01/2023 as a preventive measure. In the letter, the Agriculture Ministry stated that there was an increase in the deaths of waterfowl, such as ducks, between April and November 2022. In addition, outbreaks of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b and clade 2.3.2.1c reportedly also increased worldwide.
The potential for this virus to become a pandemic exists and is large because there is no immunity in humans.
Global health researcher from Griffith University, Australia, Dicky Budiman, said the H5N1 virus has the potential to become the next pandemic for humans because humans do not yet have immunity to the virus. However, so far there have been very few cases of infection from animals to humans.
“The potential for this virus to become a pandemic exists and is large because there is no immunity in humans. However, when this will happen is still a question, no one knows. In fact, in Indonesia, in 2009, there was a case of transmission in close contact at home. This indicates the potential for transmission exists and is large," said Budiman when contacted from Jakarta on Friday (3/3).
KANTOR BEA DAN CUKAI KUALANAMU
Officers examine birds from South Africa and Malaysia before being re-exported to their home countries at Kualanamu Airport, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, Tuesday (15/3/2022). The import of 1,102 birds was rejected by the Medan Quarantine Agency and re-exported to their country of origin because South Africa was hit by an outbreak of bird flu.
Therefore, mitigating the prevention of a virus mutation must be carried out immediately, including preparing oneself if the bird flu virus really becomes the next pandemic for humans. One of the ways is to prepare research on vaccine production and strengthen health facilities.
Even so, people are asked not to panic. Chicken and other poultry, including eggs, can still be consumed if they are cooked thoroughly to decimate the virus.
In an online seminar titled Awareness of H5N1 Avian Influenza in Jakarta, Erlina Burhan, head of the Infection Working Group for the Association of Indonesian Pulmonary Doctors, said bird flu outbreaks reported in animals in Indonesia were still under control. Transmission of the bird flu virus from animals to humans is actually not easy.
"However, because the situation is very dynamic, we still need to be vigilant. Prevention efforts must continue to be improved. In addition, it is hoped that health workers can return to increase preparedness in the management of bird flu in the community," he said.
However, because the situation is very dynamic, we still need to be vigilant. Prevention efforts must continue to be improved.
Erlina added it is hoped that the community would not panic over the risk of bird flu transmission. Vigilance can be exercised by ensuring that prevention efforts have been carried out properly. Be sure to prevent direct contact with sick birds or birds that die suddenly. When cleaning poultry cages, residents should wear gloves and masks.
Efforts to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 through 3M must be implemented properly, namely by washing hands, wearing masks and keeping a distance from sick people or animals.
“If you have symptoms of ILI [influenza-like illness] after coming into contact with infected birds in the last 10 days, check with your doctor at the nearest health care facility and immediately self-isolate until it is proven that you are not infected with bird flu,” said Erlina.
Old variant
The H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1c virus that claimed lives in Cambodia is an old variant that was also found in Indonesia, so we must increase our vigilance. A new clade of bird flu was discovered in Indonesia because the virus continues to circulate and mutate.
"In Indonesia, clade 2.3.2.1c which caused cases and deaths in Cambodia was discovered a long time ago. In the latest paper, we have found a new clade because the virus continues to mutate," said professor of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Hasanuddin, Makassar, who is also on the World Health Organization Expert Committee on Biological Standardization, David Handojo Muljono.
David said the phylodynamic data showed that the bird flu clade, which infects humans and caused one person to die in Cambodia, had been circulating in Indonesia for a long time. "Until now there is no evidence of a human-to-human transmission, but there is a risk of exposure to this virus to humans, especially in Indonesia," he said. (Z05)
