February 3, 2026 | 03:54 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung said there has been no Nipah virus outbreak in the region, but assures that his government will ramp up vigilance to anticipate potential spread of the virus.
"As of today, Nipah virus has not been found in Jakarta. I have spoken with the Minister of Health and urged the Health Agency to take immediate precautionary measures," said Pramono, when met in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Pramono hopes early preparations could prevent the entry of the Nipah virus into Jakarta. Pramono also calls for his subordinates to swiftly respond to any potential threat of infectious diseases in the capital city to prevent their spread.
The Ministry of Health previously urged hospitals and health departments across Indonesia to remain vigilant against Nipah virus in their respective regions. The warning was conveyed through Circular Number HK.02.02/C/445/2026 regarding Alertness Against Nipah Virus Disease.
The circular was issued on January 30, 2026. The Director General of Disease Control from the Ministry of Health, Murti Utami, instructed all health facility providers to take a number of precautionary measures to anticipate the transmission of the virus.
"This information is addressed to the heads of provincial health departments, regencies, heads of health quarantine UPT, hospital leaders, health center heads, and heads of public health laboratories in Indonesia to carry out precautionary measures," Murti said in the statement.
Murti explained that Nipah virus is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the Nipah virus, a member of the Henipavirus genus and the Paramyxoviridae family. This virus is known to have a natural reservoir in fruit bats (Pteropus sp).
According to Murti, this virus can be transmitted to humans directly or through intermediary animals such as pigs, as well as through consumption of food or drink contaminated with the virus, such as fruits or palm sap. Human-to-human transmission is also possible, especially through close contact with patients.
The manifestation of Nipah disease varies, ranging from mild to severe acute respiratory infections (ARI), as well as encephalitis, which can lead to death. "Mortality rate reportedly reaches 40-75 percent," she said.
Dede Leni Mardianti contributed to the writing of this article
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