Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Health Ministry has categorized Legionella pneumonia as New Emerging Diseases (New-EIDs) that should be considered since it has the potential to trigger extraordinary events (KLB).

"Indonesia has had the first cases of Legionella in Bali in 1996, and in Tangerang in 1999, as well as other cities," Director General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) of the Health Ministry Maxi Rein Rondonuwu stated in Jakarta, Monday.

He noted that the classification of Legionella as New-EIDs had been stipulated in Decree of the Minister of Health Number 1538/Menkes/SK/XI/2003 that was signed by the health minister in the era, Achmad Sujudi.

"Legionella is an acute bacterial infection that can threaten public health and has the ability to trigger an outbreak. It must be anticipated and prevented from spreading quickly," Rondonuwu emphasized.

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