Jakarta Health Agency keeps monitoring the Hantavirus development in Jakarta area.

Head of Jakarta Health Agency, Ani Ruspitawati, explained that there have been three confirmed positive cases and six suspected cases that are still under close monitoring by health workers.

"We still found three positive cases that I mentioned yesterday, but there are six suspects that we are still monitoring until today," she said, Monday (5/18).

Ani added the Jakarta Health Agency has followed up on the Ministry of Health's warning letter regarding the spread of Hantavirus. The warning circular has also been distributed to all healthcare facilities in Jakarta.

The agency has also designated several regional public hospitals as sentinel hospitals to provide stricter monitoring of suspected Hantavirus cases.

"There is also a rapid response team that continues to implement an early warning system if there is a significant increase in cases," she added.

Ani reminded that Hantavirus is a disease transmitted by rodents. Therefore, the public is urged to recognize the three main transmission routes of this virus to effectively prevent it.

The public is urged to exercise caution when cleaning rat nests or areas inhabited by rats. Ani stated that people should apply good hygiene protocols by washing their hands with soap and running water.

"There must be vigilance because there are several types of transmission," she continued.

This disease can be transmitted through inhalation of aerosols from rat droppings, saliva secretions, and urine. If these droppings dry and mix with airborne particles, they can be inhaled by humans.

"Or by direct contact with rat secretions contaminated with hanta or then directly with a rat bite," she said.

Therefore, when cleaning an area containing rat droppings, ensure proper ventilation. Rat droppings should also be cleaned after first spraying them with disinfectant.