The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has appealed to the Indonesian people to remain vigilant against the spread of monkeypox (mpox) cases, along with the increasing cases of mpox in various countries, especially in Asia and Africa.
Head of the Ministry of Health’s Communication and Public Service Bureau, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said that there has been an increase in mpox cases in Indonesia. However, she could not provide specific data. However, her party has received data from the DKI Jakarta Health Office that there were 11 cases found throughout 2024.
“There has been an increase in cases from the previous year, especially increasing from 2022, but the increase in the number of cases is limited to groups of people who engage in risky sexual behavior, because that is the pattern of transmission of mpox,” he explained to Media Indonesia on Saturday (17/8).
Knowing the risk of mpox transmission is quite high, Nadia asked the public to maintain cleanliness and not have direct contact with sufferers, one of which is by avoiding risky sexual behavior. The Ministry of Health will also issue a Circular on Alertness to Health Services, Hospitals, and UPT Health Quarantine throughout Indonesia.
“We urge the public not to make direct contact and approach patients affected by MPOX, and not to engage in risky sexual behavior,” he said.
It is known that the mpox strain that is developing in the Southeast Asia region itself is already in clade 2b, in contrast to Africa which is currently spreading at 1b with almost 500 fatal infections.
Also read: Minister of Health: 1,500 People Have Been Injected with the Mpox Vaccine
Meanwhile, public health expert and member of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Doctors Association (PB IDI), Iqbal Mochtar, said that with the determination of mpox as a PHEIC by WHO, his party continues to increase its vigilance to health workers and the community.
“This Mpox is not a new disease but has been around since 1970, but the nature of this disorder is always like (seasonal) disappearing and reappearing. The risk of transmission is lower when compared to covid-19, but that does not mean we can underestimate the possibility of transmission of this mpox disease,” he said.
Currently, one of the mitigations of mpox transmission in Indonesia has been carried out through the provision of vaccines aimed at at-risk groups and health workers.
Read also: Mpox Changes and Challenges: Evolution, Spread and Global Action
“There is the JYNNEOS vaccine, but it is not targeted at the entire community but at high-risk groups. The government needs to make special efforts to provide vaccinations to the LGBT group,” said Iqbal.
Low Mortality Rate
Meanwhile, the healing of monkeypox cases or Mpox is relatively fast, which is two to four weeks. It is said that the mortality rate or case fatality rate (CFR) of monkeypox is also relatively low, only about one percent or out of 100 positive cases, only one patient has the potential to die.
“The majority of deaths occur due to secondary infections and low immunity conditions in at-risk groups, such as MSM (Men Who Like Men), pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children, and the elderly,” he explained.
Also read: Not just Jakarta, 51 Monkeypox Cases Spread Across 5 Provinces
Iqbal advised the entire community to always live clean and not have close contact with mpox sufferers. In addition, he also appealed to be able to recognize various symptoms of mpox so that it can be detected early.
“Maintain personal hygiene by always washing hands, not making excessive contact or being in a situation where you are very close to mpox sufferers. Must be able to identify complaints that may be suffering from mpox disease, for example complaints that are almost like smallpox such as fever and lumps appearing,” he said.
(Z-9)
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