FAJAR.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Chair of the MPox Task Force for the Executive Board of the Indonesian Doctors Association, Dr. Hanny Nilasari, Sp.DVE, Subsp. Ven., FINSDV, FAADV said that monkey pox does not need to be too feared because its manifestations are milder with less mortality but prevention remains the main thing.
Monkey pox, also known as Mpox, is a zoonotic disease caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV), in the same genus as the Variola virus.
“The clinical manifestations are milder and the complications are less frequent and the death rate is lower. According to several literature, the death rate related to the current generation of Mpox is only less than 0.1 percent,” said Hanny in a media event related to MPox which was held online, Tuesday.
Hanny is a member of the Dermatology and Venerology Medical Staff Group at Dr. Hospital. Cipto Mangunkusumo said that more than 90 percent of this disease is transmitted through close contact and especially sexual contact, so avoiding physical contact with suspected Mpox patients is a priority.
“Don’t use shared items, for example towels or clothes, or sleeping equipment and so on,” he said.
Hanny said that high-risk populations are those who change partners or have multiple partners, have same-sex sexual contact (between men) and have immunocompromising conditions such as autoimmune and other chronic diseases.
“Sexual relations must be carried out safely by using condoms and vaccination,” he said.
Furthermore, regarding the prevention of monkey pox, the Ministry of Health previously advised people to avoid all types of skin contact with any materials such as bedding that has been in contact with confirmed patients, separate themselves from infected patients, adopt a clean and healthy lifestyle, including washing their hands regularly after contact. with infected animals or people.
