JAKARTA, Oct 23 — Indonesia’s Ministry of Health confirmed the presence of seven active monkeypox cases in Indonesia, all detected in Jakarta.
“Currently, there are seven active cases of monkeypox with local transmission,” said the ministry’s Technical Staff for Health Transformation, Dr Ngabila Salama, during an online talk show on monkeypox today, reported ANTARA News Agency.
The seven active cases were from local transmissions, even though only one of the patients had a history of travelling abroad.
She said the seven are currently isolated at designated hospitals as part of the monkeypox management protocol.
“The symptoms are mild. We are still waiting for the (patients’) recovery,” Dr Ngabila said.
The patients are men aged 25 to 35 who contracted the viral disease from sexual contact.
Nevertheless, she emphasised that a person can contract monkeypox in other ways apart from sex.
“The transmission can also occur via droplets, viruses that stick to surrounding objects, and skin-to-skin contact,” Dr Ngabila explained.
As such, the government is implementing procedures for handling monkeypox to prevent and control its spread.
“The Indonesian Ministry of Health and the Jakarta Provincial Government are carrying out (measures to) detect, prevent, and respond to prevent an outbreak,” she said.
Dr Ngabila appealed to the community to implement a clean and healthy lifestyle to avoid monkeypox transmission.
It includes wearing masks, washing hands after engaging in activities, avoiding skin-to-skin contact and contact with wounds, ensuring all sexual activities are safe, healthy, and clean, and avoiding sexual activities when ill.
Furthermore, she appealed to the community to report to the nearest community health centre (puskesmas) if they experience fever accompanied by lesions in the form of lumps filled with water or pus.
— Bernama
