Tapin promptly responds on mysterious hepatitis emergence

Rantau, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Tapin Health Office in South Kalimantan has taken a promt action by issuing a circular to all public health centers (puskesmas) to increase vigilance against a mysterious form of acute hepatitis that is affecting children in several countries.

"Related to Acute Hepatitis Of Unknown Aetiology cases, we have issued a circular to heads of puskesmas to increase vigilance and anticipation," said Head of Disease Control and Prevention of Tapin Health Office Puji Winarta, Thursday (May 5, 2022). 

Previously, the Ministry of Health has increased vigilance against a mysterious form of acute hepatitis.

"In the past two weeks, we have increased our vigilance in Indonesia because the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared acute hepatitis as an extraordinary event," spokesperson for the Ministry of Health Dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi confirmed on Tuesday.

Vigilance in Indonesia has been increased on account of the deaths of three children undergoing treatment for suspected acute hepatitis at the Dr. Ciptomangunkusuma Hospital, Jakarta, Tarmizi said. They died at different times in the two weeks till April 30.

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The precaution measurements asked by the Tapin Health Office include: 

1.Monitor and report acute jaundice syndrome in the Early Alert and Response System (SKDR) with symptoms characterized by icteric or yellow skin and sclera and dark urine that appear suddenly; 

2.Provide communcation, information, and education (KIE) to the community and prevention efforts through the implementation of clean and healthy lifestyle (PHBS);

3.Informing the public to immediately visit the nearest health facility if they have jaundice syndrome;.

4.Build and strengthen surveillance network across program and sectors at the sub-district level.