Bandung Prepares Health Services Amid Fears of Acute Hepatitis

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil on Wednesday announced that there have been zero cases of acute hepatitis found in the region that has a population of over 49 million - according to a 2020 study. The governor stated that a special team had been established along with healthcare facilities that will handle such cases if found. 

During the first day of work on May 9th following a week of the Eid celebration holiday, Kamil visited the RSHS Bandung hospital to monitor the preparations of healthcare workers in responding to potential cases discovered in the future. 

“As of today, there are yet cases of acute hepatitis discovered. Let us all pray there will be none,” said Kamil on May 11. 

On a separate occasion, the head of the Bandung City Health Agency, Ahyani Raksanagara, urged locals to avoid panicking after the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged the disease as an extraordinary event. 

“[The status naming] is not a form of panic, but being alert, as the WHO is tasked to warn countries in the world,” said Raksanagara in a written statement on May 11. 

She asked people who find their family members showing symptoms of acute hepatitis to immediately visit health services. The mysterious disease has symptoms similar to hepatitis, but the difference is that there are symptoms of decreased consciousness, and worse, seizures, she warned. 

"Immediately take them to a healthcare facility if symptoms are visible," said Ahyani. 

Read: Adults, Elderly Can Contract Acute Hepatitis: RSPI SS

AHMAD FIKRI