BRIN: Currently, Disease Development is Very Dynamic

SAMARINDA.NIAGA.ASIA – The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) said that currently the development of the disease is very dynamic. Some diseases have become epidemics, pandemics, and require special attention. Call it hepatitis of unknown cause (etiology), monkey pox or monkeypox, and hoof and mouth disease in farm animals.

“BRIN through the Health Research Organization (ORK) is very responsive to these health issues. One of them is by organizing a webinar that raises the latest issues in the Indonesian health sector,” explained Ni Luh Putu Indi Dharmayanti, Head of ORK BRIN when opening the Health Talks Series #2 webinar, which was held by the Center for Preclinical and Clinical Medicine Research (PRKPK), on Friday (15 /7/2022).

Ni Luh revealed that BRIN researchers were present as resource persons to share knowledge and discuss current health issues.

“This effort is a tangible manifestation of BRIN in disseminating knowledge to academics/researchers, within BRIN and outside BRIN, professionals in the health sector, and the general public,” continued Indi.

Hepatitis is one of the hot topics raised in this webinar.

Caecilia Sukowati, a researcher at the Eijkman Molecular Biology Research Center (PRBME) opened the webinar with her presentation entitled ‘Three Months DONS (Disease Outbreak News) : How are you Acute Hepatitis of Unknown Aetiology’.

This biomedical doctor explains that the hepatitis that attacks the world today is acute hepatitis.

“Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of the liver caused by various factors, including viruses. Acute hepatitis is self-limiting, but may lead to fulminant liver failure depending on the etiology. On the other hand, chronic hepatitis can cause liver damage,” said Caecilia.

He explained the contribution made by the hepatitis research group (KRH) in PRBME was to carry out molecular analysis and genetic diversity of unknown causes of hepatitis.

“We made a diagnosis of exclusion from suspected cases by initial screening for hepatitis AE virus infection negativity by serology and molecular confirmation by PCR. Not only that, we are also actively collaborating with various related parties to carry out bioinformatics analysis of virus sequences by comparing them with similar virus sequences from sequence repository sites,” explained Caecilia.

He also added that currently KRH PRBME is also conducting a kinship analysis and distribution of molecular epidemiology from samples from Indonesia and the world. This includes identifying other etiological factors that may cause and/or exacerbate liver inflammation.

“Because the cause is unknown, the best prevention effort at this time is to continue to follow strict health protocols,” added Caecilia.

Meanwhile, Zulvikar Syambani Ulhaq, BRIN PRKPK Researcher delivered an explanation about ‘Mongkey pox, What Should We Know?’ also interesting to watch.

He explained that since the discovery of the case mongkey pox or monkeypox on June 21, 2022, there have been 4000 confirmed cases worldwide.

“This zoonotic disease is found in non-endemic countries, namely Europe, America and Australia. Even though this rare disease is endemic to Africa caused by the Monkey pox virus (orthopoxvirus),” said Zulvikar.

Zulvikar warns that everyone can get Monkey pox, but epidemiological data from 2022 show that the disease mostly affects men with a history of MSM.

“Monkey pox is not a classic sexually transmitted infection, but is transmitted during sexual contact, sharing bedding/clothing. Currently, vaccines for prevention are available, namely Jynneos for preventive vaccines and Acam 2000 as active immunizations,” he added.

Not only threatening human safety, in April 2022 the safety of livestock in Indonesia is also threatened with the emergence of mouth and nail disease (FMD) in livestock.

Gunawan, a researcher at the Center for Public Health and Nutrition Research (PR Kesmaszi) had the opportunity to explain about FMD in Livestock and Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in children.

Keep in mind that FMD in livestock and HFMD in children are different diseases. FMD is an infectious disease caused by an RNA virus (type of apthovirus family picornaviridae) and attacks even-toed ungulates, particularly cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and more than 70 species of wild animals.

“Meanwhile, HFMD is a common disease in children and is caused by enterovirus or often called the Singapore flu,” explained Gunawan.

He said that the last PMK was discovered in 1983 and in 1990 Indonesia was recognized as being free of PMK.

“The thing that caused a stir when PMK reappeared in April 2022, of course this threatens our food security in the livestock sector,” said Gunawan.

Gunawan reminded that people do not need to panic, because FMD is not zoonotic.

“Consumption of livestock meat is still safe. Meat, head, offal, legs, tail/tail and bones must be boiled in boiling water for at least 30 (thirty) minutes,” he explained.

Complementing Gunawan’s previous presentation, Agus Wiyono, a researcher at the Veterinary Research Center, also had the opportunity to explain diseases related to FMD, namely ‘What is Mouth and Nail Disease in Livestock’.

Agus added that the clinical symptoms of FMD are very easy to recognize. However, there are some obstacles in handling it. So that efforts to eradicate PMK are quite time consuming and must be completely completed.

In FMD there are several differential diagnoses. The thing to watch out for is the phenomenon of healthy animals, but carrying the virus. In fact, this disease can still occur because it comes from cured cattle and/or cattle that have been vaccinated and then become infected.

“The last thing to watch out for is the FMD virus that can be secreted for months and even years in the pharyngeal epithelium,” said Agus.

Agus emphasized that efforts to eradicate PMK require the commitment of all parties.

“There must be an official control program so that this disease can be eradicated and not reappear. Naturally, domestic livestock as carriers can transmit very little, but wild animals can infect domestic livestock,” said Agus.

Source: BRIN | Editor: Intoniswan