Govt declares high alert over H1N1 flu

Ni Komang Erviani and Wasti Atmodjo ,  THE JAKARTA POST ,  DENPASAR   |  Mon, 06/29/2009 12:39 PM  |  Bali

The Bali Health Agency has confirmed two cases of H1N1 flu and has called for residents to be on high alert in its effort to contain the virus.

Nyoman Stutedja, head of the agency, told reporters that all stakeholders on the island's health institutions have been alerted. "We have to be well prepared to anticipate any development concerning the number of people infected by H1N1 flu," he said.

Bali's Sanglah hospital is treating a patient infected with H1N1 flu and two others suspected of carrying the virus. A woman who tested positive for the virus was released Friday after her condition improved.

The infected persons are tourists who arrived from Australia. Bali receives 6,000 foreign visitors, including some 1,500 people from Australia everyday. Sutedja further said the agency had held special meetings with all health institutions including public and private hospitals and clinics to ensure cooperation with the agency.

"We have called on the entire medical staff to be ready to anticipate any news on the H1N1 flu patients entering Bali," he said.

He said that the agency has distributed 35,000 doses of the flu drug Tamiflu across the island.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has urged Balinese people to increase their awareness on the danger of H1N1 flu and to obtain accurate information on the disease to prevent their families from becoming infected.

"We have to improve our hygienic conditions and increase our immune systems by leading healthy lives," the governor said. Pastika also urged the management of Ngurah Rai International Airport to properly monitor the arrival of international travelers.

Meanwhile, the Bali Animal Husbandry Office is working to disinfect pig farms. "We will provide 2,500 liters of disinfectant to each regency," head of the office Ida Bagus Alit said. In Argentina, a number of pigs have been found carrying swine flu.

Bali is home to around 1 million pigs and is well known for its pork dishes. Tjok Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, chairman of the Bali chapter of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association, has called on the association's members to be on the alert.

"We should not panic but we have to increase our preparedness in anticipating any possible H1N1 flu cases affecting our guests," Sukawati said.

The entire hotel managements in Bali must closely monitor health condition of both employees and guests.

"If anyone found to suffer from Influenza like diseases, he or she must be checked by the hotels' doctors or medical staff immediately and be sent to hospital if necessary," he said.

"Hotel managers should not cover up any cases of Influenza A. If you find someone suspected of suffering from the illness, you must immediately report it to the respected official for compressive medical treatment," Sukawati said.

Sukawati said Bali's tourist industry has been hit by series of financial, security and health issues in recent years, including SARS and Avian flu. "We have actually been ready to anticipate any health crises properly."

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