Bali Tightens Airport Health Monitoring to Prevent HMPV

Author: Dian Kencana
January 9, 2025

I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.

SEAToday.com, Badung - The government has increased monitoring of international passengers from Malaysia and China arriving at the International Terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali, to prevent the spread of the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).

Head of the Class I Denpasar Port Health Office (KKP), Anak Agung Ngurah Kesumajaya, stated that while there has been no specific directive from the Ministry of Health (MoH), Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has confirmed that HMPV cases have been detected in China and Malaysia.

"The Minister has already issued a statement regarding HMPV cases in China that have also reached Malaysia," he said on Tuesday (7/12).

As a precautionary measure, passengers are required to fill out their health history two to three days before departure using the Satu Sehat Health Pass (SSHP) application. Uploaded data, such as symptoms of flu, cough, or fever, will serve as initial indicators.

Passengers exhibiting such symptoms will undergo further testing using a monocular rapid test (TCM) to determine whether they are infected with influenza, Covid-19, monkeypox, or HMPV. If any indication of illness is found, doctors at the arrival terminal will conduct further examinations.

"If the passenger’s condition is stable, they may proceed to their hotel under monitoring. However, if severe symptoms are detected, we will refer them to designated hospitals," Kesumajaya explained.

Three referral hospitals have been prepared: RSUP Prof Ngoerah in Denpasar, Bali Mandara Hospital, and Siloam Hospital on Sunset Road, Kuta. To date, no HMPV cases have been detected in Bali.

Kesumajaya emphasized that monitoring applies to all international passengers, but those from China and Malaysia are given special attention. Visual inspections and thermal scanners are used to detect symptoms such as flu, colds, or coughs upon arrival.

The number of passengers from these two countries is substantial. Bali receives 1,000–1,100 passengers from China daily and approximately 2,500 passengers from Malaysia.

"Data shows that passengers from China range between 1,000 and 1,100 per day, while those from Malaysia reach around 2,500 daily," he concluded.