Air Pollution: 66,893 Bekasi Residents Contracted ISPA During January-July 2023 Period

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bekasi Health Department reported that 66,893 Bekasi residents contracted Acute Respiratory Infections (ISPA) from January-July 2023 period. According to the data, the highest month recorded was in March 2023 with 11,611 people contracting ISPA.

"Indeed, there are many ISPA cases these days," said the Bekasi Health Department Head Tanti Rohilawati when confirmed by reporters on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

Tanti explained that the symptoms of ISPA are coughing, runny nose, fever, chest pain, and dyspnea. She also said that the cause of ISPA are bacteria, viruses, and other microbes caused by air pollution, and climate change.

Residents who contracted ISPA could be treated in a first-class health facility, such as public health center. If the symptoms worsen, the patient will be moved to a hospital.

Tanti said that air pollution is not the only cause of ISPA. "ISPA could be caused by climate change, there are a lot of different factors to cause ISPA," she said.

Meanwhile, relating to the prevention and mitigation of ISPA, Tanti added, the public could improve their immune system by having adequate rest and eating healthily. Residents who contracted ISPA could implement the coughing etiquette by covering their mouths while coughing and not spitting carelessly. 

Tanti also urges residents to wear masks for outdoor activities to reduce the risk of pollution-induced ISPA. "Masks will reduce the pollutants that we inhale. It is good to wear a mask," she said.

ADI WARSONO

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