Although the H7N9 variant of bird flu cases in Indonesia has not been found, it does not mean people do not need to be vigilant. Government represented by the Ministry of Health stated, H7N9 avian influenza transmission to watch, considering that Indonesia and China have a close relationship, especially in terms of trade.
"There may be always there. Moreover, Indonesia and China have trade relations," said Director General of Disease Control and Environmental Health (P2PL) Ministry of Health, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, Wednesday (04/17/2013).
According to Tjandra, traffic such as airports and ports is the main door. Therefore, he suggested any newcomers, especially from China, which have complaints of cough, fever, shortness of breath, so that the port health office or call the local airport.
Poultry health as viral vectors must also be considered.
Tjandra also urged the public to work together to monitor the health of poultry in each region. Especially when mass mortality was sudden. The bodies of birds should be buried or burned to prevent the virus spreading.
People are also asked to report if found active mass death of birds suddenly. Reporting must also be done when there is experiencing shortness of breath, fever, and cough with a neighborhood full of poultry or returning from China.
"Can contact telephone 021-4257125 or 021-36840901. Could also SMS to 021-36840901, or email poskoklb@yahoo.com," said Tjandra.
He added that the hospital as a health facility must also give special attention to the disease Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). Especially when it comes from an area infected patients in China with no apparent cause of the disease. Acute respiratory tract infections are marked shortness of breath severe life-threatening. Tjandra said the response of patients with these symptoms should be done as soon as possible.
"This rapid response will determine the safety of patients, such as the Influenza Like Illness (ILI)," said Tjandra.
He also added that people should not panic and rushed to the health facility if symptoms are found Tjandra added that in the world there is no vaccine against H7N9. Medication given to patients is available in Indonesia is oseltamivir.
China is currently the world's attention because in this case the state H7N9 virus was found to infect humans. National Commission for Health and Family Planning China as reported by Xinhua said the total cases of H7N9 virus infection until Tuesday (4/16/2013) has reached 77 cases. A total of 16 cases of which lead to death.
Zoonoses Deputy Coordinating Ministry for People's Welfare of Indonesia, Chabib Afwan assess H7N9 virus in birds attack is actually not more virulent than H5N1. But the attack on the human H7N9 more virulent than H5N1. "It is still a research, how can raged. Likely a mutation," said Chabib
Chabib added, H7N9 viruses transmitted through the intermediary of pigeons. However, researchers can not be sure how the pigeons and people can contact to transmit H7N9.
In line with Tjandra, Chabib believes Indonesia should be aware of H7N9. "The case of H7N9 can not be excluded. Healthcare poultry, airports, and ports so the main concern," said Chabib.
One form of defense is a ban on imports of poultry products some time ago. Although there is no defense against to the WHO recommendation related to human H7N9 virus at airports and ports, Chabib estimate temperature screening may be an option. Screening is the same as it did when H5N1 cases. When the temperature increases the screening tools, screening objects possible H7N9 infection. This screening will be conducted on immigrants from China.