Research and Development Agency of Department of Health reported 58 new positive cases of Influenza A H1N1, consists of 36 male and 22 female. The cases occured in 9 provinces: Bali (2 cases), Banten (8 cases), DKI Jakarta (4 cases), East Java (16 cases), West Kalimantan (1 cases), South Kalimantan (10 cases), East Kalimantan (4 cases), Lampung (12 cases), Riau (1 cases) dan West Nusa Tenggara (1 cases), said Prof. dr. Agus Purwadianto, SH, Sp.FK., Head of Research and Development Agency of Department of Health today.

He added that 56 of the new cases are Indonesians and 2 others are expatriates. 50 of them have no travelling records abroad, 4 have travelling record abroad (Malaysia, Australia, Dubai and Singapore) and 4 people’s travelling record have not been clarified.

Meanwhile, Prof. dr. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, Sp. P (K), MARS, Director General of Disease Control and Environmental Health of the Department of Health added that the additional cases also mark the two additional provinces with positive cases namely West Kalimantan and West Nusa Tenggara.

Therefore, as of 4 August 2009 the influenza A H1N1 have been found in 20 provinces, namely 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, Lampung, West Kalimantan and West Nusa Tenggara, while the total number of positive cases of influenza A H1N1 in Indonesia is 619 persons, consists of 344 male and 275 female, added Prof. Tjandra.

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 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 .