Head of the East Kalimantan Health Office, Jaya Mualimin. (Puput/headlinekaltim.co)
HEADLINEKALTIM.CO, SAMARINDA – The Health Service (Dinkes) of East Kalimantan Province (Kaltim) continues to strive for vigilance against the spread of the Monkeypox (MPOX) outbreak or monkey pox. This is a type of infectious disease caused by a virus that attacks human skin.
Mpox (Monkeypox) is an emerging zoonosis caused by the Monkeypox virus. The disease is mild with symptoms lasting around 2 to 4 weeks. However, it can progress to severity and even death (Case Fatality Rate 3 or 6%).
Head of the East Kalimantan Health Office, Jaya Mualimin, revealed that efforts to increase awareness of monkey pox were a follow-up to the circular letter from the Indonesian Minister of Health which released the existence of MPOX cases in Jakarta.
This circular letter is a form of increasing awareness for local governments, health service facilities, Public Health Laboratories, Port Health Offices, and other stakeholders.
“As of today, there are no reports of anyone suffering from monkey pox in East Kalimantan. But every week we report whether it exists or not for early warning. “We are distributing this circular letter to 10 districts and cities throughout East Kalimantan,” said Jaya.
Jaya explained that this disease is transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected people or animals, or through objects contaminated by the virus.
“According to epidemiological reports, the spread of MPOX spread quickly but it was not reported as a pandemic and there were no deaths. It only spreads quickly, but the danger is if it spreads. “It’s just that this is also related to sexual behavior,” he said.
Looking at the situation in Indonesia, the first mpox case was reported on August 20 2022. On October 13 2023, Indonesia again reported 1 mpox case without any travel history from the infected country (local transmission). Investigations are currently ongoing to determine the epidemiological picture of the reported cases.
On October 17 2023, Indonesia carried out a multi-sector mpox risk assessment. So there continues to be a need to increase awareness of mpox in Indonesia.
Jaya said, until now there is no vaccine for MPOX, for treatment still uses smallpox medicine in general.
“If there are people who feel they have monkey pox, they can go directly to the Community Health Center. Because the virus doesn’t last as long as DHF only takes a week. “Corona, it only takes 14 days for it to disappear,” he said.
The East Kalimantan Health Office has forwarded circular letters to governments in all districts or cities throughout East Kalimantan, so that people maintain their health and cleanliness as well as the environment, and avoid direct contact with people or animals infected with MPOX.
“If there is an indicated case, of course a blood sample will be taken and examined. “If it’s negative, it’s probably another smallpox, but if it’s positive, it means MPOX has entered East Kalimantan,” he concluded. (Puput)
2023-11-06 14:27:17
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