January 29, 2026 | 09:09 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has yet to close the border despite staying cautious of Nipah virus spread, said Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin. This decision was made based on the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO), which noted that the number of Nipah virus cases globally is still very limited.
"There is no border closure because the WHO recommendation states that the number affected is still very small," Budi said during a visit to Emirat-Indonesia Cardiology Hospital (RS KEI) in Solo, Central Java, on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
But Budi ensured that the government is increasing vigilance by preparing a health screening system to detect the Nipah virus, which is known to have a high mortality rate and does not yet have a specific vaccine or treatment.
The virus has not been detected in Indonesia thus far.
According to Budi, Nipah virus detection is carried out through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, similar to Covid-19 testing. The Ministry of Health has prepared reagents to support early detection.
"If there are people who have a persistent cough, we will screen them. It could be influenza, Covid-19, or possibly the Nipah virus," he said.
Budi said the Nipah virus detection reagents are stored in the Ministry of Health and will be distributed to ministry-operated laboratories in various regions if suspected cases are found. According to him, this step is part of strengthening the infectious disease surveillance system.
In addition to medical supervision, Budi also urged the public to be more cautious in fruit consumption, warning against eating fruits that are damaged due to risks of bat saliva contamination. It is known to be how Nipah virus is transmitted to humans.
"If you eat fruits, it's best to peel them yourself so you can see their condition. Or opt for cooked food," Budi said.
The minister hopes the Nipah virus will not enter Indonesia, acknowledging its high mortality rate.
Read: How to Prevent Nipah Virus Infection While Traveling
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