VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

A recent outbreak of coronavirus which began in China’s Wuhan City, Hubei Province, in December last year, has spread to 14 countries. Coronavirus was first identified in the 1960’s, but the new strain, known as the novel coronavirus, only appeared in humans last year when people in Wuhan started suffering respiratory infections.

Dr. Erlina Burhan, a pulmonologist of Persahabatan Hospital and Chairperson of Indonesian Pulmonologist Association of the Jakarta branch, in a special interview at Voice of Indonesia’s studio, Tuesday, said although it has already caused more than 100 deaths, the new strain of Coronavirus is not necessarily more deadly than other strains. She said compared to the fatality rate of SARS and of MERS-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus), the new strain of Coronavirus is currently less deadly.

“Data showed that the fatality rate of SARS is more than 10%. And also, the fatality rate of MERS-CoV (Middle East Syndrome Syndrome Coronavirus) is even higher, more than 30%. And if we look at this current data showed there are more than 4000 affected people but those who eventually died was around 100 something, which is, if we count the rate is no more than 5%, so the fatality rate is lower.”

Dr. Erlina Burhan, who is also a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, added the new type of coronavirus has a different DNA structure, but the symptoms are the same.

“The new type obviously is having the different structure of DNA, but the symptoms that are caused by the same family, it’s just the same. It affected upper and lower respiratory tract with the same symptoms, such as fever, headache, not feeling well, and if the virus already affects the lungs then you start to have coughing and also leads to difficulty in breathing.”

Dr. Erlina Burhan advised there is a lot to learn about the new strain. She further said that the symptoms of the new strain of Coronavirus take the form of upper respiratory tract infection, including sneezing, sore throat, coughing and shortness of breath. She recommended people maintain a fair distance from anyone showing such symptoms. She also said the immune system plays a key role in fighting this virus. She asked people to be aware, keep healthy and eat nutritious food to support the immune system.  (VOI/LAURA GREEN/SAYEE SHREE L.R/AHM)