Indonesian Officials Brace for Tomcat Outbreak

The Health Ministry has ordered all community health centers to be on standby to treat a potential outbreak of skin rashes caused by contact with the rove beetle, as reports of bug attacks begin coming in from outside Java. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, the ministrys director general for environmental health and disease control, said on Monday that his office was closely monitoring reports of attacks by the beetles, known locally as tomcat bugs, and coordinating prevention and treatment efforts with provincial, district and municipal health officials. In Surabaya, for instance, all community health centers have been placed on standby and are prepared to provide free treatment and medication for patients who have come into contact with tomcat bugs, he said. The bug infestation was first reported in Surabaya earlier this month, with scores of residents complaining of severe rashes after coming into contact with fluid secretions from the insect. Tjandra said most of those affected were generally in good health and only suffering from skin irritations. Theyve just got dermatitis, with symptoms of itching, burning sensations and in some cases hyperpigmentation [localized darkening of the skin], he said. It will all clear up in about 10 days. He added that clinics in Yogyakarta were reporting similar symptoms among residents there who had come into contact with the beetle. Tjandra played down the idea that the infestation was an unusual event, pointing out that those affected in Yogyakarta had acknowledged that the local tomcat population regularly peaked six weeks into the rice-growing season and would stay that way until the harvest. The beetle is usually found in moist areas such as rice paddies and swamps, and is known for feeding on smaller insects that attack rice crops. Tjandra said although the rashes and irritations were not a new disease and should not prompt excessive concern, the Health Ministry had ordered quarantine officials at ports and airports in high-risk areas to fumigate their facilities to prevent any bug attacks there. The skin irritations can be transmitted to other people through towels, clothes or other materials that come into contact with the fluid contained in the blisters, Tjandra said previously. The ministrys latest warning on the issue comes as reports of tomcat attacks trickle in from outside Java. In Palembang, South Sumatra, a resident said on Monday that he and his family had come into contact with one of the beetles. We developed itchy rashes that we initially thought was from an allergic reaction, said Tohir Sopyan, 45. But then we saw the news reports on TV and we were convinced that this was because of the tomcats. He added that after reporting the case to local health authorities, officials found several of the bugs in the neighborhood. In Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, 11 workers at El Tari Airport were reportedly suffering from tomcat-related rashes. Airport manager Imam Pramono said although the symptoms regularly cropped up this time of year, officials there had not known the cause of the rashes until now. In Bali, health officials said the beetle was known to thrive in the local paddies, but there had been no reports of attacks yet.