Gov’t Anticipates Disease Outbreak After Floods

Minister of Health dr. Terawan Agus Putranto delivers press statement after internal meeting at Presidential Office in Jakarta, Friday (3/1). (Photo: Jay/PR)

The Government has announced it is anticipating the possibility of an outbreak of infectious diseases in the wake of floods that hit a number of areas in Jakarta, West Java and Banten provinces.

“We have deployed teams to survey the flood-affected areas,” said Minister of Health Terawan Agus Putranto in Jakarta, Friday (3/1).

According to Terawan, his Ministry continues to work closely with all components of the community, including the National Defense Forces (TNI), the National Police, volunteers, the health services, and other Ministries to prevent the emergence of diseases threat after floods such as diarrhea, leptospirosis, and others.

“For this reason, we have worked hard, particularly on clean water supply to help the people clean up their environment to prevent infection,” the Minister explained.

“We hope we are able to prevent it well with education on sanitation,” Terawan said, adding that he has also deployed large-scale physiological teams to help children cope with trauma.

“Numerous physiologists have been deployed at several flood victims shelters to help children heal their trauma,” he said. (FID/JAY/ES)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas