Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari said the influenza virus A (H1N1) or swine flu was found not more virulent than ordinary influenza disease.
“Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that it was not more virulent than the common cold. But we still continue control efforts that have been done,” he said in Jakarta.
Previous WHO Director General Margaret Chan said that almost all patients who experience symptoms of influenza A (H1N1) could recover the total in one week without medical treatment even though.
Some countries with cases of influenza A (H1N1) tall including the United States, he said, was no longer apply special procedures to control the disease initially spread in Mexico it.
“They are eliminating temperature scanner, does not require that patients in the hospital and did not provide anti-viral drug oseltamivir in the case of mild infection,” he said.
Moreover, he added, influenza virus A (H1N1) in Danish, Japan, Hong Kong, and China reportedly was resistant to oseltamivir or commonly sold under the trademark of Tamiflu.
However, he re-asserted, the government continued efforts to control the disease of influenza A (H1N1) that these new distribution does not extend.
“Preparedness efforts to continue despite the considerable costs,” he said.
He said the government will continue to install the scanner body temperature in the international arrivals terminal and asks all passengers from affected countries to fill the health alert cards (allert health card) to prosecute those who allegedly infected with influenza virus A (H1N1).
Port Health Office (KKP), referral hospitals and health laboratory, he continued, also remain alert to anticipate the various possibilities that arise related to the disease transmission.
Society also advised to remain alert to the disease by adopting hygienic behavior and healthy, wearing a mask when he caught the flu, applied ethics as well as coughing and sneezing immediately went to the medical facility if his condition did not improve
