SURABAYA (Lenteratoday) – Monkeypox virus or Monkeypox is getting the world’s attention. The reason is that the virus has spread to several non-endemic countries such as the United States, Australia, and several regions in Europe. Apparently, the human smallpox vaccine was effective for monkey smallpox.
“Currently, the monkeypox virus vaccine is available in several developed countries. The vaccine used is a vaccine for human smallpox which is also effective for monkeypox. Some countries such as the USA have stock of this vaccine, but Indonesia does not have it,” said the Head of the Division of Pediatric Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine (FK) Airlangga University (Unair) Dr Dominicus Husada dr DTM&H MCTM(TP) SpA(K), Monday (30/5/2022).
According to Dominicus, monkeypox has infected more than 200 people in the world as of Saturday (28/5/2022). It has many similarities with its brother, smallpox in humans. The main sign is that there are spots filled with pus or fluid in many places on the body, especially the limbs.
“If no spots appear, the suspicion towards monkeypox is practically low. In contrast to human smallpox which always leaves a mark or causes death, monkeypox is relatively mild. Rarely is it aggravating or causing death,” he explained.
He further explained that related to transmission, close contact between humans is a medium for transmitting the virus. Fluids containing the virus enter the body through broken skin, eyes, mouth, or respiratory tract. In the West, one of the factors driving the transmission of this virus is same-sex sex.
“The various diseases that have only been known to humans in recent years are almost all from animals, but now they have moved to humans. This is caused by changes in human lifestyles, interactions with forests and their contents, as well as global warming,“explained the lecturer from FK Unair.
“All of the above must be considered if the world is to be in balance. The current concept is called one health. Talking about infectious diseases must involve veterinarians and agricultural experts as well because disease exists in all living things. Taking care of humans alone will not be able to solve the problem,” he added.
Usually, the monkeypox virus attacks adults, but it can also affect children. This disease is widely found in Africa so you can say they experience monkeypox virus outbreaks almost every year both at the local level and at the wider level.
Furthermore, he said if someone is suspected of having monkeypox, it is better not to be close because it is through close contact that transmission can occur. If you are not close to the patient, then the risk of contracting it can be said to be non-existent.
-Source: Airlangga University | Editor : Lutfiyu Handi
