Jan 31, 2026
3 min read
Implementation is being carried out at entry points in the country to increase control of Nipah virus infection.However, the government did not close the entry gates into the country.
Strict surveillance of Nipah virus transmission is carried out at points of entry into countries.However, the government has not implemented the closure of entry points into the country.
JAKARTA, - The government continues to strengthen the monitoring or surveillance of the spread of the Nipah virus.Many health laboratories have been strengthened to identify the virus.The government has also strengthened the entry points in the country even though the decision to close them has not been implemented.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Friday (30/1/2026) that the Nipah virus has not yet entered Indonesia.Despite this, prevention efforts are still being strengthened through screening and health surveillance.
"Now we are preparing the screening. It is like Covid-19 through PCR (polymerase chain reaction). We have prepared the reagents. So if one suspects, whether it is influenza virus, Covid-19 or Nipah virus, they can be screened," he said.
Buddhi said that all the reagents used for Nipah virus testing have been distributed to several testing laboratories attached to the Ministry of Health.It is expected that this will speed up testing and case detection.
In addition, there is strict surveillance at points of entry into the country, especially for foreign travelers from infected countries.Despite this, the government has not taken steps to close the entry points into the country.
"According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), no decision was made to close the borders because we see that (cases) are very few.
According to the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO), no decision has been made to close the borders because we see that there are still very few cases.
Separately, the head of the Ministry of Health's Communications and Public Information Bureau, Aji Mohorman, said that the Indonesian government continues to develop the global situation regarding the incidence of Nipah virus infection.
Ground entry surveillance is conducted on people, goods and vehicles originating directly or indirectly from countries reporting Nipah virus cases.
"All travelers returning to Indonesia from abroad are obliged to report to the All Indonesia application to find travelers who have symptoms and are coming from an infected country for further examination or medical history," he said.
Aji added that monitoring and early detection are done through a system developed by the Ministry of Health.Early screening is being strengthened, especially at health facilities, for people who are experiencing symptoms of Nipah virus infection and one of whom has a history of travel from India in the last 14 days.
"If you travel to India and a country with Nipah virus disease, it is recommended to follow the recommendations of the health protocol of the local authorities. Immediately check yourself at the health service center if you get symptoms of Nipah virus infection after you return from India or an infected country," said Aji.
From the WHO page, Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus that can be transmitted from animals to humans.However, the virus can also be spread from contaminated food or spread directly between people.
Natural transmission of Nipah virus occurs from pteropodidae fruit bats found in various parts of Asia and Australia.It is believed that these bats spread to Africa.
The nipah virus is transmitted to humans by direct contact with infected animals, such as bats, pigs or horses.This is usually done by eating fruit or fruit products contaminated by infected fruit bats.
However, human-to-human transmission occurs mainly in health care settings between health care workers and caregivers who care for sick patients or their families.Crowded environments, poor ventilation, and inadequate virus control measures may increase the risk of transmission.
Transmission of Nipah virus is something to worry about because the mortality rate is quite high, ranging from 40-75 percent.Vaccines and specific treatments are not yet available.Therefore, infection prevention and control should be a priority.
In its recommendations, the WHO says people can reduce the risk of infection by washing and washing their fruit well, discarding fruit that shows signs of bat bites, and avoiding places where bats make nests.
The use of protective clothing and gloves when handling sick animals can help prevent the spread of disease to humans.Avoid close contact with infected people.
Evy Rachmawati taalcoordinator:
