TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesians, children and adults alike, often blow paper trumpets during new year`s celebration. But this seemingly harmless activity can be potentially dangerous, especially if the trumpet is shared with other people which normally occur with children.

The danger of sharing a trumpet with others holds the danger of transmitting diseases to other people, especially children. One of the risks currently is the spread of diphtheria through shared trumpets at new year’s celebration.

“Diphtheria is spread through fluids or droplets in the mouth when a person coughs or sneezes. Other than that, someone can be infected if they come in contact with a contaminated object such as toys that contain Corynebacterium diphtheria bacteria,” said Pediatrician Adriani Puspitasari.

Read: Diphtheria Outbreak: Government Expands Immunization Program

Conditions like this can trigger a new diphtheria disease spread since microbes can spread through contaminated items.

“Diphtheria is only one of many infectious diseases that can spread through shared trumpets. Other diseases can also be transmitted this way, such as germs that cause coughs, flu, and diarrhea,” said Pediatrician Catharine M. Sambo.

However, it is best that parents monitor where their children buy their new year’s trumpets or even better by buying it yourself in official trust-worthy stores to avoid an unwanted spread of diseases.

ASTARI PINASTHIKA SAROSA