Tanjungpinang - Riau Islands Provincial Government has appealed to the Riau Islands citizens to be aware of the Nipah Virus which is now also spread in Malaysia.

This was said by the Head of Riau Islands Provincial Health Office Mochammad Bisri. Moreover, according to Bisri, Riau Islands and Malaysia are directly bordering areas.

"The Riau Islands and Malaysia have direct borders, even though they are bordered by the sea. However, it is possible that the Nipah Virus can cross to Riau Islands with the intermediary of people, goods, animals and food products, and fruits from Malaysia," Bisri said, Monday (1/2 / 2021).

For this reason, Bisri emphasized that he invited all policymakers, such as the Port Health Office and the Agricultural Quarantine Center to tighten the flow of passenger and goods traffic at the entrances in Riau Islands.

"We really hope for them in terms of supervision to prevent any viruses from abroad from entering our area," hoped Bisri.

Bisri continued, the Nipah virus has the potential to spread to Indonesia through livestock intermediaries, such as pigs and fruit-eating bats from Malaysia.

He reminded the public, especially children, not to eat fruit bites from bats, for example, mango and guava.

When buying fruits at the market, residents must first wash it thoroughly so that it is really fresh and healthy.

"The Nipah virus has not been reported to have occurred in Indonesia, particularly in Riau Islands. But we must be vigilant, especially since WHO states that this virus has the potential to become a pandemic," he said.