Jakarta, IO – The Jakarta Health Service (Dinkes) revealed that reports of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children had been detected in the capital city. Mycoplasma is the bacteria that triggers the surge in pneumonia cases in China, conveyed Jakarta’s head of the surveillance, epidemiology and immunization Ngabila Salama, per CNN Indonesia, Mon (5/12).
However, Ngabila has not detailed the number or location of the cases. She explained that a specific test for the cause of pneumonia must be carried out using a multiplex PCR examination that can detect viruses and bacteria at the same time.
The viruses include Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), influenzae, Covid-19, adenovirus, parainfluenzae. Meanwhile, the test can detect four types of bacteria, namely mycoplasma, legionella, pertussis and clamidophilla pneumonia.
“There is also a trend of increasing pediatric pneumonia in Jakarta which can also be caused by viruses, most commonly RSV, influenzae, Covid-19, adenovirus, rhinovirus and parainfluenzae,” she explained.
According to her, there are two ways to prevent pneumonia. First, improve personal hygiene and carry out complete routine immunizations for children.
Ngabila also appealed to the public to immediately go to a health facility if they experience symptoms. She said the Covid-19 antigen and PCR examination at the community health center was available free of charge.
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“If there are indications, a doctor will examine the type of germ using multiplex PCR to detect several types of viruses and bacteria, including mycoplasma, so that therapy is more specific according to the type of germ causing it,” she explained.
For the reference, China has experienced a pneumonia outbreak with 3/4 cases caused by mycoplasma pneumoniae infection since May. It is feared that this spike in cases will become a new pandemic after Covid-19. However, infection due to mycoplasma pneumoniae is said to be no more deadly than Covid-19. (un)