Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – It is reported that the Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) will soon issue a Circular (SE) Awareness of Chicken Pox (Varicella) and Mumps (Mumps). This follows an increase in the chickenpox outbreak at SMPN 8 South Tangerang, Banten, some time ago.
As is known, a chicken pox outbreak attacked 53 students at the junior high school. The school even held distance learning (PJJ) for two weeks and sprayed disinfectant liquid throughout the class.
Head of the Communications and Public Services Bureau of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), Aji Muhawarman, said that the SE would be issued by the Acting Director General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) of the Ministry of Health to all heads of provincial, district, city, hospital and health centers (Puskesmas). in Indonesia.
Regarding this, former WHO Southeast Asia Director of Infectious Diseases, Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, advised the government to carry out an in-depth epidemiological (PE) investigation to find out exactly the cause of the increase in cases of mumps and chicken pox in children which occurred simultaneously.
Prof. Tjandra believes that PE can help the government know exactly what phenomena are occurring in the field. This is because the two diseases originate from different causes and the parts of the body that are attacked are also different.
“What really needs to be watched out for is if it is true that there is an increase in two diseases at once in various regions in Indonesia,” said Prof Tjandra, quoting Detikcom, Sunday (3/11/2024).
Prof Tjandra said there were five things that needed to be considered. First, both diseases attack children and have symptoms of fever which is very contagious. However, both are relatively mild and can heal well in a matter of days or weeks.
“It is very rare for diseases to become serious and threaten health. Fourth, vaccines are available for these two diseases, which are of course available in various health service facilities in our country, even though they are not or have not been included in the national Immunization Development Program,” he continued.
Another step that needs to be taken by the government is to analyze the truth of the increase in cases in various regions. Because, there could be a possibility that in Indonesia there is a change in disease patterns or because of increased sensitivity of surveillance.
Furthermore, if it is confirmed that there is a burden of disease problem, it needs to be immediately informed to the public, both to calm and maintain public awareness and sick children must receive optimal health treatment.
“The government needs to confirm the situation that occurred and immediately take action to deal with it,” he said.
Prof. Tjandra also said that parents must be alert if their children suffer from symptoms of these two diseases, and ensure that their children are immediately taken to the nearest health facility to receive medical treatment.
Meanwhile, he asked the school to continue to increase vigilance. If several similar cases are found in class, school administrators need to immediately coordinate with the community health center or existing health workers.
“Hopefully the current problem of the two diseases can be resolved quickly, especially since this happened in the first 100 days of our new government,” said the former WHO Southeast Asia Director of Infectious Diseases.
(pgr/pgr)
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Oh, well, let’s dive into this delightful outbreak of chicken pox and mumps that’s broken out in Jakarta, shall we? Honestly, who knew those diseases could throw such a wild party together? It’s like they’re the nightclub of infectious diseases—everyone’s invited, and it’s usually the kids who get the VIP treatment.
So, the Indonesian Ministry of Health is stepping in with a circular about these threats, warning us that they might be more contagious than your cousin during the holidays. I mean, a whole 53 students from SMPN 8 in South Tangerang caught chicken pox? That’s not just an outbreak; that’s a chicken pox convention! And distance learning is back on the agenda! What a world we live in—kids are playing Call of Duty while battling pox on the side!
Aji Muhawarman, the communications guru at the Ministry of Health, is leading the charge with the announcement. He’s probably sharing this news at the office water cooler, where everyone suddenly becomes an epidemiologist. Now that’s a serious game of ‘Who’s Got the Best Sick Day Story?’
Enter Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, the former WHO Southeast Asia Director of Infectious Diseases, who suggests a comprehensive epidemiological investigation. He sounds about as serious as a doctor who just realized he’s out of antiseptic. But let’s be honest, if you want to find the root cause, just ask the kids—“Did someone bring a pet chicken to school?!” The good professor raises the alarm that this dual outbreak might be a sign of something fishy—perhaps even a two-for-one disease special on the market!
He mentions that both diseases have overlapping symptoms, which is nice and convenient—like a menu that offers everything with a side of confusion. Fever? Check. Contagious? Double check. And he reassures us that while these diseases can be as annoying as a bad sitcom, they’re typically mild. I mean, rare cases of severe illness are like that one relative at a family gathering—embarrassing but usually manageable.
What’s also amusing is the fact that vaccines are available but not on the national immunization radar. A bit like having an all-you-can-eat buffet but forgetting to put out the decor. Come on, Indonesia! Let’s make those vaccines a must-have in every health center! After all, nothing says ‘parental fail’ quite like sending your kid into the world unvaccinated against the chicken pox.
Prof. Tjandra’s advice? Parents, be vigilant! If your child starts sprouting spots like a confetti cannon, dash them over to the nearest health facility quicker than you can say “chicken tamale.” Schools, this is your cue too. If the kids start looking like a pixelated video game glitch, it’s time to coordinate with the health workers before the whole school starts turning into a petri dish.
And as we close this thrilling chapter of “As the Chicken Pox Turns,” let’s all hope that the government gets it figured out quickly—because as Prof. Tjandra mentions, it’s the first 100 days of a new government, and nothing says “Congrats on the new gig!” like managing an infectious disease outbreak!
So, buckle up, folks! With every sneeze, it could just be a sneeze… or the beginning of a new health saga. Stay safe, stay cautious, and may all your social gatherings be chicken pox free!
More concerning brewing beneath the surface, and we can’t just brush it off as ”kids being kids.”
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Prof. Tjandra. Given the recent outbreaks of chickenpox and mumps in Indonesia, what immediate steps do you think the government should take to address these issues?
**Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama:** Thank you for having me. The first and foremost step is to conduct a thorough epidemiological investigation. We need to determine the exact causes behind the simultaneous increase in these cases. While chickenpox and mumps are relatively mild diseases, the fact that we’re seeing a rise in both at the same time raises concerns about possible changes in disease patterns or the effectiveness of our current surveillance systems.
**Interviewer:** That makes sense. What specific factors do you believe are contributing to this outbreak, especially among school children?
**Prof. Tjandra:** There are several key factors to consider. Firstly, both diseases primarily affect children and can be very contagious, particularly in school settings. This outbreak at SMPN 8, with 53 students affected, highlights how quickly they can spread in close quarters. Additionally, while vaccines exist for both diseases and are generally available in health facilities, they are not universally included in our national immunization program. This gap might be contributing to the increased susceptibility among children.
**Interviewer:** It’s certainly troubling. If a parent suspects their child may have symptoms of these diseases, what should they do?
**Prof. Tjandra:** Parents need to be vigilant and monitor their children for symptoms such as fever and rashes. If they notice anything concerning, they should seek medical care immediately at the nearest health facility. Early intervention is crucial. Furthermore, schools should maintain strong communication with local health authorities and report any similar cases to prevent further outbreaks.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the importance of public awareness. How should the government communicate this situation to the public effectively?
**Prof. Tjandra:** Transparency is key. The government should provide clear and consistent updates about the situation, emphasizing preventive measures and the importance of vaccination. They also need to reassure the public that most cases are mild, but proper health care should be prioritized. If confirmed cases increase significantly, it’s important to calm public fears while ensuring that those affected receive the best possible care.
**Interviewer:** It appears that this issue touches on broader public health concerns. What implications could this have for future health policy in Indonesia?
**Prof. Tjandra:** Absolutely, this outbreak can serve as a wake-up call for our health policy. We need to reassess our immunization strategy and make sure that we’re prioritizing vaccinations for diseases that may not be top of mind for everyone. Additionally, improving disease surveillance and response mechanisms will be essential to prevent such outbreaks in the future, ensuring that our healthcare system is resilient.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Prof. Tjandra, for your valuable insights. The situation demands close attention, and your expertise will surely guide better responses.
**Prof. Tjandra:** Thank you for having me, and let’s hope for a swift resolution to the outbreaks. It’s crucial that we continue educating our communities about these preventable diseases.
