Jakarta. Indonesian health authorities have strengthened hantavirus screening measures at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta to prevent the potential entry of infected travelers through international flights.

Naning Nugrahini, head of the Soekarno-Hatta Health Quarantine Center, said officials have increased monitoring of passengers arriving from countries that have reported hantavirus cases.

“For hantavirus, which is currently drawing public attention, we have implemented preparedness measures through health declaration forms. From there, we can identify risks related to flights and travelers,” Naning said on Monday.

The enhanced screening includes mandatory health declarations, thermal scanner checks, and visual observation of arriving passengers.

Travelers showing symptoms associated with hantavirus will undergo further medical examinations by doctors at the airport’s health facilities. Suspected cases will be referred to specialized infectious disease hospitals for additional treatment and monitoring.

“If the examination indicates a probable case, we will refer the patient to a central infectious disease hospital for further handling,” Naning said.

Authorities have also prepared special evacuation routes for infectious disease cases to minimize the risk of transmission to other passengers. Dedicated ambulances equipped with decontamination systems are on standby to transport suspected patients safely.

“These ambulances have decontamination systems so viruses, bacteria, or germs from patients can be cleaned and prevented from spreading to others,” she said.

According to the Health Quarantine Center, hantavirus is not a new disease in Indonesia. Studies related to the virus have been conducted since 2015, and authorities recorded 23 hantavirus cases nationwide between 2024 and 2026.

“From 2024 to 2026, 23 people have been identified with hantavirus,” Naning said.

Additional monitoring has also been imposed on direct flights arriving from countries that have reported hantavirus cases, including the United States, Argentina, Paraguay, and Panama.

“We are tightening surveillance on flights from those countries, although the list may change depending on developments,” she said.

Naning said hantavirus spreads differently from Covid-19. While Covid-19 is transmitted primarily between humans, hantavirus infections in Indonesia are mostly linked to exposure to urine, saliva, or droppings from infected rodents.

She urged the public to maintain hygiene and remain alert to rodent infestations, noting that 24 out of 51 rat species are known to carry diseases.

Health officials will also assess travel history and close contacts of suspected patients. Individuals categorized as probable cases will be transferred to Sulianti Saroso Infectious Disease Hospital using specially equipped ambulances.

Naning added that observation periods for patients and close contacts can last up to 42 days due to the virus’s relatively long incubation period.

“So far, we have not detected any hantavirus cases at Soekarno-Hatta Airport entry points,” she said.