Monkeypox has now been detected in several European countries, the United States, Australia and Canada.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mohammad Syahril, emphasized that to this day his party has not detected any cases of monkeypox in Indonesia.
However, he said the government would remain vigilant about this by strengthening early detection or screening at entrances such as airports and ports, such as checking passengers with symptoms of monkeypox.
"Until today there is no data for monkeypox, we just have to remain vigilant because this is part of international vigilance, that this disease can be transmitted between countries," said Syahril.
Syahril explained that the monkeypox virus is a disease that is transmitted through monkeys and rats. This disease is zoonotic or caused by a virus that spreads between animals and humans.
"It can be transmitted by direct contact, possibly from being bitten (by animals), or direct contact from monkeys to people or from person to person," he said.
Symptoms caused by this disease, said Syahril include two stages. First, the initial stage with an incubation period of approximately 16-21 days. The next stage is characterized by high fever, headache, muscle aches and accompanied by lumps in the armpits, neck, and hands.
"If he grows again, rashes begin to occur, there are red spots, then lumps filled with water," he said.
Similar to COVID-19, the examination carried out to detect monkeypox is the PCR swab method, where blood or fluid samples are taken from the lumps that arise.
The Ministry of Health has prepared two laboratories to examine the samples suspected of being monkeypox, namely at Litbangkes, the Ministry of Health and at RSPI Sulianti Saroso. However, the public is advised not to panic too much.
Epidemiologist from Australia's Griffith University, Dicky Budiman, said the detection of monkeypox cases in several countries showed the importance of early detection. The sooner it is detected and treated, the sooner the person will be saved.
“This is actually a disease that generally has mild symptoms and can heal itself within 2-3 weeks. But in some cases, the symptoms can be severe, apart from the skin disorder, it can be very itchy and painful, especially if it attacks a pregnant woman, it can cause a miscarriage, and in some cases, for example in children, more severe symptoms occur," he said.
Therefore, according to him, although the monkeypox case is relatively rare, vigilance must still be built. (voaindo)
