MPox Virus Global Crisis, RI buys 3.5 million single-injection vaccine IDRs

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

Minister of Health (Menkes) Budi Gunadi Sadikin warns of viruses Mpox transmitted through physical contact and occurring in specific groups. The spread will not be as fast as the Covid-19 virus because it attacks specific groups that are at risk.

According to him, the government has provided a vaccine for this disease. Recently, the government will import 1,600 doses of Mpox vaccine from Denmark which will be distributed to frontline medical workers and high-risk groups.

“But again, because this vaccine is expensive, around Rp. 3.5 million per dose, we are giving this to those who are at high risk, laboratory workers, health workers, as well as people who are already at risk in areas where they are already there. tame“, said Budi at the Presidential Palace, Tuesday (27/8).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has on August 14, 2024 declared Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) after an increase in Mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and several countries in Africa.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health noted that as of August 2024, Indonesia had reported 88 confirmed cases of Mpox from 2023-2024. The most confirmed cases were in Jakarta, which is up to 59 cases. West Java continues with 13 cases, followed by Banten with 9 confirmed cases.

Budi also said that there is now a new variant of the Mpox virus or clade 1B which is more deadly than the previous variant.

However, Budi claims that clade 1B has not been found in Indonesia based on the results of the whole genome sequencing (WGS) study.

“There is a new clade called 1B. This has a higher mortality than the previous one, in Indonesia, in Asia it is generally 2B, which is the first one,” said Budi.

Budi said the death rate for clade 1B was 10 percent higher compared to clade 2B which was only 0.1 percent. However, Budi also reminded that Mpox transmission is not as violent as the corona virus (Covid-19).

“This version 1B has not spread anywhere but two countries, namely Sweden and Thailand, the others are in Africa. Why? Because they also come from Africa,” said e.

In addition, Budi said the government would not block entry points to Africa after the status of Mpox which has become a global health emergency or PHEIC.

Budi also expressed this statement as the government would host the Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali on 1-3 September 2024.

Indonesia will invite 51 countries, 22 of which are countries from the African region that have recorded the most Mpox cases.

“So, no. Because WHO also does not recommend discrimination among people who come, and it is true, our experience is that entry can be closed from other points as well,” Budi said.

Budi also emphasized that the most important thing to do now is to strengthen inspection at all entrances to Indonesia. He gave an example, during the screening process, if the temperature is high, a PCR test will be done.

In addition, each entrant must complete one digital health form to verify. According to him, the government has also given quarantine places to those who have tested positive for the Mpox virus.

“If it is positive, we will send it directly to the hospital for isolation first while we follow the genome of the variant. If the variant is 2B, we know that it will be 100 percent cured,” he said.

(kr/gil)

[Gambas:Video CNN]