Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Chair of Jakarta Regional Representative Council's (DPRD's) Commission E Anggara Wicitra Sastroamidjojo urged the provincial authority to take prompt action over the emergence of mysterious acute hepatitis in the province.
The mysterious hepatitis had earlier claimed the lives of three children, who died while receiving medical care at the Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central Hospital, he stated.
"We need to increase our alertness because even the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared acute hepatitis cases as an extraordinary occurrence. Reviewing our experiences, we must not underestimate newly detected diseases, especially since children are the most vulnerable to this disease," Sastroamidjojo remarked here on Wednesday.
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The regional parliament legislator highlighted that the Jakarta Provincial Health Office must play a key role in anticipating a surge in hepatitis cases, as the Health Ministry's circular instructs provincial authorities to play an active role in addressing the possible outbreak of the disease.
"The Jakarta provincial Health Office must coordinate intensively with the Health Ministry to conduct investigation and case tracing to find the initial infection source," he noted.
He also urged the authority to involve regional officials to inform residents about the mysterious hepatitis.
"Informing residents about the disease is also important. The authority can involve neighborhood units (RT), community units (RW), and family welfare organizations (to disseminate the information), yet the information must be crystal clear to prevent panic among residents that would soon be free from the COVID-19 pandemic," Sastroamidjojo remarked.
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Earlier, the Health Ministry confirmed that three children, who died while receiving medical care at the Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central Hospital, were suspected to be infected with the mysterious acute hepatitis.
The ministry's spokesperson, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, remarked that an investigation, which will include complete virus research, will be launched to investigate the disease's origin.
"While the investigation is ongoing, we urge residents to remain vigilant yet calm," Tarmizi noted in her statement on Sunday (May 1).
The three children died in a span of two weeks, with the last death occurring on April 30, 2022, she added.
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