Bali Increases Biosecurity Measures In Response To Hantavirus Outbreak 

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With growing concern about travelers with the outbreak of Hantavirus, Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport is upping its biosecurity measures to help keep passengers safe. The outbreak of the Hantavirus on the MV Hondius has sparked an international response.

While top health leaders, including the World Health Organisation, have issued statements confirming that the outbreak is not like Covid-19 and is not the start of another pandemic, biosecurity officials are not taking any chances. 

In Bali, the management of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, along with the Denpasar Health Quarantine Center (BBKK), has tightened health screening for passengers arriving in Bali, particularly those passing through the international arrivals terminal.

Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi, the Head of Communication and Legal Division at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, told reporters that BBKK Denpasar has installed two thermal scanners in the international arrivals terminal and one in the domestic arrivals area.

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He explained, “As an initial step related to screening passenger health conditions, the Denpasar Health Quarantine Center (BBKK) has placed two thermal scanners at the international arrivals terminal and one unit at the domestic arrivals area, with monitoring by BBKK officers.”

Since Hantavirus is a zoonotic virus that naturally affects rodents and occasionally transmits to humans, the team at Bali Airport is also paying special attention to waste management. This is an issue that Bali is urgently seeking to address, irrespective of the Hantavirus outbreak on MV Hondius.

Asmadi shared, “We ensure that all areas of the airport consistently meet hygiene standards, including waste management, to prevent litter that could potentially become a breeding ground for rats and/or other sources of disease.”

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Asmadi confirmed that passengers requiring medical treatment will be referred to Prof. Dr. IGNG Ngoerah Central General Hospital, whether that be suspected Hantavirus cases or those displaying clinical symptoms of concern.

Asmadi concluded, “For passengers who feel their health is declining and experience symptoms such as fever, we urge them to immediately contact the nearest airport officer or the BBKK officer at the airport.”

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Speaking separately, the Head of the Bali Provincial Health Office (Kadiskes), Dr. I Nyoman Gede Anom, MKes, shared that health surveillance is being strengthened across the province, especially at strategic points such as airports, ports, and workplaces deemed to have a high risk of exposure.

Though he noted, “To date, no cases or suspected cases of hantavirus have been detected in Bali.”

In a separate media statement, Dr. Cokorda Agung Wahyu Purnamasidhi, M.Biomed, Sp.PD, FINASIM, FISQua, a Tropical and Infectious Diseases Doctor at the Faculty of Medicine (FK) Unud in Denpasar, explained that “Unlike Covid-19, which is very easily transmitted between humans, Hantavirus is much more difficult to transmit. However, the mortality rate is much higher, reaching 30–40 percent in cases of severe lung disorders. So the risk is not in the speed of spread, but in the severity of the infection.”

Adding “As long as you maintain environmental cleanliness and avoid direct contact with rat nests, the risk remains low.”

In terms of tourism and tourist destinations in Bali, Dr Purnamasidhi did not call for any specific actions but once again called for increased hygiene protocols and commitment to standard operating procedures for cleanliness and sanitation.

He shared, “In tourist areas and public housing, as long as pest control is effective, the risk is very minimal.” Adding “Don’t let rats stay at home. Seal entry holes, ensure food isn’t left out, and trash is tightly sealed. Spray first with soapy water or disinfectant to keep dust from flying, then wear a mask and gloves.”

He concluded by calling on the public in Bali to remain vigilant and disciplined in maintaining cleanliness in their homes, workplaces, and communities. “Keep your home clean, avoid piles of items that can become nests for rats, and always wash your hands after doing activities outside.”