TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Health Ministry spokesperson Oscar Primadi said the government will impose alert status for Zika virus. “We are on alert for Zika virus,” said Oscar on Tuesday.

According to Oscar, the government imposes alert status because there has been no case of Zika virus in Indonesia that causes death. There was one patient infected by Zika virus in 2014 in Jambi, but the patient recovered.

“We ask for people not to be panic, but it doesn’t mean we let our guard down,” said Oscar, adding that compared to Zika virus, dengue fever has caused more deaths.

The government has stationed officers at health officers in ports where foreigners come and go. The officers are also instructed to examine tourists from Zika-affected regions and tourists that show Zika symptoms, such as fever.

The government also told people to be careful towards the virus when they go to Zika-affected regions. Several prevention measures can be taken, such as putting on mosquito repellent or wearing long-sleeved clothing to avoid mosquito bites.

According to Oscar, the government will focus more on wiping out mosquito nests. Circular letters have been sent to local governments regarding mosquito nests.

MITRA TARIGAN