Anticipation Of Zika Virus Spread Out At The Pattimura Ambon International Airport

AMBON (04/09/2016) - The unsettling news on Zika virus outbreak discovered in Singapore becomes the focal point of attention for the Pattimura Ambon International Airport management. Based on the information we received, Indonesia has a high risk of undergoing the zika virus outbreak, considering regional distance of the two countries which allow potential for this virus to spread across the borders, thus rendering the airport to be alert for entry of such virus.

PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) of Pattimura International Airport Ambon synergizes with the Port Health Agency (KKP) Class II Ambon in taking preventative measures in order to control the zika virus spread out. The joined forces consisting of SMS & Health Environment Section and KKP Environmental Risk Management division, led by the SMs & Health Environment Section Head, Hari Haryanto, conducted identification of mosquito type by taking in samples of mosquitos. Samples of the mosquito obtained from around the Pattimura Airport will be taken to the lab for a type identification, to find out if there are more Aedes Aegypti or Anopheles.

“Since the carrier of zika virus is Aedes Aegypti mosquito” claimed Andi Jumiati as the person in charge of this activity. Besides the above there is also the activities of dropping abate powder to the water reservoirs around the Pattimura International Airport. In the evening time, fogging is conducted throughout the entire area of Pattimura International Airport.

The General Manager of Pattimura Airport Ambon, Amiruddin Florensius mentioned that the Airport as gateway of people and items becomes a vulnerable spot for any kind of virus to spread. Therefore we go to the mile in anticipating by coordinating with the Port Health Agency Class II Ambon in relatuin to the Memo from Ministry of the Republic of Indonesia No. No.HK.03.03/d.1/II.3/1235/2016 regarding Notification of Management to Zika and Dengue Fever Vectors at the Port of Entry (Nation Gateway).

The Zika Virus is one of the flavivirus type that has similarities to the dengue fever and its contagion go through the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. A person who is infected by this virus will retain the symptoms of fever, red rash on the skin, headache, pain to the joints and muscles, and expecting women who are infected with this virus will also contaminate their babies in form of disformed head size that is smaller compared to normal births.

"We will intensely coordinate and supervise together with KKP as the mean to prevent spread out of the zika virus especially at the Pattimura Ambon International Airport," Amir added.

As last info from the Head of KKP Agency Class II Ambon, Nehemia Salamahu, to date there has been no suspect that is allegedly infected by the zika virus in Ambon city. And even with no direct international arivals from Asian countries infected with the virus, monitoring measures are continuously done through the thermal scanners operated in the arrival bay to monitor body temperature of the arriving passengers.