Table of contents:
- is it possible novel coronavirus spread in Indonesia?
- 1,024,298
- 831,330
- 28,855
- Coronavirus may have existed in Indonesia
- Then, why novel coronavirus not found in Indonesia?
- 1. Air temperature
- 2. Sun exposure
- 3. Areas not covered by the spread of the virus
Since its appearance at the end of 2019, novel coronavirus has infected more than 30,000 people from 28 countries. Based on Worldometer data, the spread of this virus does not only include countries in Asia, but also Europe such as Spain and Belgium. However, why is there no case until now? novel coronavirus in Indonesia?
is it possible novel coronavirus spread in Indonesia?
Source: Business Insider Singapore
Novel coronavirus which originated in the city of Wuhan, China, is part of a large-sized virus family called coronavirus. The virus coded 2019-nCoV is usually found in mammals and causes a number of respiratory disorders.
Most of the coronavirus triggers common respiratory disorders such as flu and colds. However, type coronavirus others could trigger a more dangerous disease such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which had spread in Indonesia in 2003.
Spread coronavirus The causes of SARS, MERS, and the outbreak that originated in Wuhan were both originated from animals. In the case of SARS, the virus that infected bats moved to ferrets, then moved back to humans who ate them.
Novel coronavirus those found in Wuhan are also strongly suspected to have come from bats. Researchers in China believe that this virus originally passed from bats to snakes. Then, transmission occurs to humans who consume snakes.
Consuming snakes may sound unusual. However, the fact is that there are many countries that have great interest in the consumption of wild animal meat, including Indonesia. Apart from snakes, enthusiasts of wild animal meat may also be familiar with bats, rats, and ferrets.
1,024,298
Confirmed831,330
Recovered28,855
DeathDistribution MapThese animals are just a few examples of the roughly 100 types of wild animals that are sold at Huanan Market, China. This market is believed to be the starting point of the spread novel coronavirus. Given that Indonesia also has a wild animal market, novel coronavirus just might spread here.
Coronavirus may have existed in Indonesia
Source: Wikimedia Common
Novel coronavirus has the opportunity to spread to Indonesia through fruit-eating bats. This was conveyed by Prof. drh. Agus Setiyono, M.S., Ph.D, APVet, a pathologist at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine IPB, as quoted from Kompas.
He conducted research with the Zoonoses Control and Research Center at Hokkaido University, Japan, to determine the type of virus that infects fruit-eating bats. They took samples of bats from several regions in Indonesia.
The study found six new viruses in fruit-eating bats in Indonesia, one of which is coronavirus. Meanwhile, five other viruses, namely:
- polyomavirus
- alphaherpesvirus
- gammaherpesvirus
- bufavirus
- paramyxovirus
Coronavirus fruit-eating bats in Indonesia are not the same virus as novel coronavirus in China. However, this proves that the coronavirus family once existed in Indonesia and may be able to spread again.
Prof. Agus also stated that bats can move their habitat to distant areas following the fruit season in that region. He advised the Indonesian people not to come into contact with bats, let alone consume them to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Then, why novel coronavirus not found in Indonesia?
There is no research that can explain why this is the case novel coronavirus not heard in Indonesia. Most scientists only make conjectures based on factors that affect the virus' survival rate.
According to some sources, here are the factors that might influence the spread coronavirus in Indonesia:
1. Air temperature
According to research in the journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews, the virus reproduces itself more rapidly in temperatures below 37 degrees Celsius. Another study also states that the best temperature for the spread of the influenza virus is 5 degrees Celsius.
Coronavirus it could have spread in Indonesia, but Indonesia is a tropical country with a fairly high average air temperature. These high temperatures may prevent the spread of a number of viruses, including coronavirus.
Viruses that cause flu are usually easier to spread in cold, dry air. This is why people catch the flu more often at the end of the year when temperatures drop and the rainy season begins.
2. Sun exposure
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun have long been used as a natural disinfectant, mainly in bottled water production and in medical facilities. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Tenessee, USA, also mentioned that UV rays also have the potential to kill viruses.
In contrast to the cooler countries, the spread coronavirus in Indonesia it could be hampered because Indonesia is exposed to sunlight all year round. Sunlight emits radiation that can break down proteins, change their structure, and reduce the virus's ability to infect.
However, please note that coronavirus is a virus that contains RNA, not DNA. RNA viruses are usually more resistant to sunlight. Therefore, the relationship between sunlight and coronavirus still needs to be studied further.
3. Areas not covered by the spread of the virus
Clinical microbiology specialist at the University of Indonesia Hospital, dr. R. Fera Ibrahim, M.Sc., Ph.D., Sp.MK, stated that population density and access to several areas in Indonesia played an important role in the distribution of novel coronavirus.
According to him, the more densely populated an area and better access it is, the more likely it is novel coronavirus spread. On the other hand, areas in Indonesia that are somewhat remote or far from overcrowded can actually benefit because the virus is more difficult to spread.
Although Indonesia has a number of factors that can hinder transmission novel coronavirus, the country is not completely free from the risk of the spread of the plague. Therefore, the community still needs to take preventive measures and limit their exposure to infected patients and animals that can spread the virus.
