New positive cases of H1N1 on 2 August 2009 numbers 41 persons consists of 17 male and 24 female. The cases occured in 11 provinces: Bali (3 cases), Banten (4 cases), DKI Jakarta (8 cases), Central Java (2 cases), East Java (1 case), South Kalimantan (1 case), Central Kalimantan (3 cases), Lampung (16 cases), Riau (1 case), South Sulawesi (1 case) and North Sulawesi (1 case). Of the total new cases, 36 of them are Indonesians while 5 others are expatriates, moreover 37 of the patients have no travelling record abroad while 3 persons have travelling record abroad (to U.S.) and 1 person’s record has not been clarified.

The additional cases also showed that the Influenza A H1N1 virus occurred in two new provinces: Central Kalimantan and Lampung. Therefore, as of 2 August 2009, the positive cases of Influenza A H1N1 have been found in 18 provinces: Bali, Banten, Yogyakarta, DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, South Kalimantan, Riau Islands, North Sulawesi, South Sumatera, North Sumatera, East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Jambi, Riau, Central Kalimantan and Lampung.

To date, Indonesia has reported 561 positive cases of influenza A H1N1. 308 of them are male and 253 are female, said Director General of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Prof. dr. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, Sp. P (K), MARS, on 2 August 2009.

Since announced by WHO as a pandemic on June 11, 2009, it is recorded that as of 27, July, 2009, 134,503 persons have been positively infected by Influenza A H1N1 globally. The vast spread of the disease is due to the human to human transmission through cough, sneeze or surfaces previously touched by patients.

The public has major contribution to prevent the spread of the disease by practicing hygiene and healthy lifestyle including washing hands with soap or hand sanitizer, covering mouth and nose with handkerchief or tissue when coughing and sneezing. When having influenza symptoms take a medicine to lower body temperature and wear mask, avoid going outside of the house to public places when having illness for 5 days and seek for medical help if no improvements shown within 2, said Prof. Tjandra.

The Government of Indonesia has conducted preparedness action on handling the virus, such as instructing Port Health Office to optimize health scanner and compulsory Health Alert Card submission for travelers, preparing Hospitals and logistics and strengthening contact tracking, ILI surveillance and laboratories. Government is also strengthening public communication and education on the diseases and complying with International Health Regulations.

In addition to that, community surveillance is conducted, person with influenza symptoms should promptly report to Public Health Centers, while people with severe symptoms should go directly to Hospital. Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) surveillance is also strengthened at Public Health Centers and Hospitals to identify serious cases, while low level cases needs no medical treatment at the hospitals, said Prof. Tjandra.

This information is issued by Center for Public Communication, Secretariat General Department of Health Republic of Indonesia. For queries, please call: 021-52907416-9 and 52921669, or send e-mail to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .