The Rector of Universitas Indonesia (UI), Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D, inaugurated Prof. dr. Fera Ibrahim, M.Sc, Ph.D, Sp.MK(K) as Professor in Virology, Faculty of Medicine UI, on Saturday, November 9, at the IMERI Hall FKUI Salemba. On that occasion, Prof. Fera delivered a scientific oration titled “Potensi Virus RNA sebagai Ancaman Penyakit Emerging dan Reemerging: Strategi Pencegahan dan Pengendalian Infeksi” (Potential of RNA Viruses as a Threat of Emerging and Reemerging Diseases: Infection Prevention and Control Strategies).
RNA viruses are viruses that contain RNA (ribonucleic acid) genetic material and are the main cause of various new and dangerous infectious diseases. This virus can change or mutate, so it is easy to develop, adapt, and spread to humans.
Infectious diseases caused by RNA viruses, said Prof. Fera, require global attention, because every year it is estimated that two new RNA viruses will emerge that have the potential to become a threat.
Changes or mutations in RNA viruses can cause the emergence of new diseases that have never existed before (emerging diseases) such as Covid-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus; or diseases that re-emerge (reemerging diseases) such as tuberculosis and measles. These mutations often occur during the virus replication process due to errors when duplicating its genetic material.
Mutations in RNA viruses have many impacts. First, changes in the nature of the virus. Mutations cause changes in the virus protein, making the virus more infectious or more dangerous to humans. Second, drug resistance. The virus becomes resistant to certain drugs that were previously effective for treatment, reducing the effectiveness of available treatments. Third, mutations help the virus avoid detection by the human immune system, making it more difficult to fight.
To deal with this threat, Prof. Fera shared prevention and control steps that can be taken by the government and health organizations. Experts can detect new mutations in potentially dangerous viruses by conducting routine surveillance of the virus genome. The One Health approach is also needed because some diseases in humans originate from animals, such as bird flu and Ebola.
In addition, international research collaboration must be carried out to accelerate the response to the spread of the disease and in the development of vaccines and medical equipment. According to him, this step needs to be taken considering that vaccines and detection systems play an important role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases caused by RNA viruses.
Rapid vaccine development during the pandemic helped reduce the number of Covid-19 infections. In addition, a fast and accurate detection system makes it easier to identify and isolate positive cases, thereby preventing further spread. These efforts are needed to increase the effectiveness of vaccines and detection tools that can detect various types of viruses.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has provided us with valuable lessons about the importance of preparation in dealing with infectious diseases. With genetic surveillance, international cooperation, and innovation in vaccine production and detection tools, we can be better prepared to face the threat of new infectious diseases. The public is also expected to continue to maintain health and cleanliness, and support health programs provided by the government to prevent the spread of infectious diseases,” said Prof. Fera.
Prof. Fera’s research related to efforts to prevent and control diseases caused by RNA virus mutations shows her expertise in the field of virology. Previously, she also researched several other topics, such as Genetic and Phenotypic of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Sensitive to Meropenem Antibiotics after Exposure to Meropenem (2024); Hearing Instability and Abnormal Auditory Pathways in Infants with Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: An Audiological and Radiological Single-Centre Prospective Cohort Analysis (2024); and Dry Eye Symptoms are Prevalent in Moderate-Severe Covid-19, while Sars-Cov-2 Presence is Higher in Mild Covid-19: Possible Ocular Transmission Risk of Covid-19 (2024).
Prof. Fera graduated from FKUI as a General Practitioner in 1986. Next, she studied at the University of Lyon I, France, for Maitrise de Sciences Biologiques et Medicales (MSBM) General and Systematic Virology and MSBM Immunology and Immunopathology in 1990; Master of Science in 1991; and her doctoral education in 1995. She completed her education as a Clinical Microbiology Specialist (2001) and Clinical Microbiology Specialist, Virology Consultant (2009) at the Indonesian Clinical Microbiology Specialist Association College.
The inauguration ceremony of Prof. Fera as a professor was attended by the President Director of RSUPN, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, dr. Supriyanto Sp.B, FINACS, M.Kes.; Team Leader for Health System Strengthening of WHO Representative of Indonesia, Roderick L. Salenga, RPh, MPH; Director of Health Promotion and Community Empowerment, Ministry of Health, dr. Imran Agus Nurali, Sp.KO; Director of Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture, drh. Imron Suandy, MVPH; Assistant Deputy for Disease Control and Prevention, Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, dr. Nancy Dian Anggraeni, M.Epid; and Team Leader of FAO ECTAD Indonesia, Dr. Luuk Schoonman.
