The latest mutation of Covid-19, XBB 1.5 or Kraken, is known to spread very quickly in various countries. This case has also been confirmed to enter Indonesia. Recently, the Ministry of Health discovered two new cases of the Kraken subvariant.
Head of Communication and Public Service Bureau Siti Nadia Tarmizi, Thursday (2/2/2023), said the case was found in Pamulang, South Tangerang (Tangsel), Banten.
According to her, the total number of Kraken cases identified in Indonesia is three people. One is from Poland, and two of the new finds are from Pamulang.
Nadia said that this close contact tested positive after the local health authority carried out a swab examination of the patient. Out of a total of 10 people who had close contact with positive patients in Pamulang, only one person showed positive results for Covid-19.
Before finally testing positive for Covid-19, this patient did overseas travel history, where he tested positive after returning to his homeland after undergoing the Umrah pilgrimage.
“He is PPLN (foreign traveler), and there is one positive contact. Only symptoms of a mild cough, and are now cured, no treatment, only self-isolation,” she said.
For information, the Ministry of Health reported the first case of the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant on January 7. The first case was found in a foreigner from Poland who was visiting Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.
The patient is known to only experience mild symptoms such as coughing and has tested negative for Covid-19 after undergoing independent isolation for 8 days.
furthermore, Kraken is said to be highly contagious compared to other variants that existed before. However, the symptoms are not severe and some are found to be asymptomatic.
Commissioner at the Chicago Department of Public Health, Allison Arwady also explained that the symptoms found in Kraken patients were similar to flu. For example, such as sore throat, and cough until life is clogged.
“Infected people generally only have flu-like symptoms, such as sore throat, cough, runny nose, and congestion. It’s rare for those who experience severe symptoms to have a high fever,” said Arwady.
However, mild symptoms are usually experienced by those who already have antibodies before. One of them is through the Covid-19 vaccination.
Researchers are continuing to analyze the ability of XBB 1.5 to transmit quickly. Until now, the Kraken was found to quickly replicate itself in the body of someone who was infected.
People can prevent it by getting vaccinated. Including receiving the second booster dose which has been open for people 18 years and over in Indonesia.