The government's handling of monkeypox prevention

monkeypox (mpox) has now emerged as a national concern. According to records from the
DKI Jakarta Health Service, there were 17 cases of monkeypox that occurred in DKI Jakarta
as of October 28 2023. In fact, three days earlier, only 15 cases of monkeypox were
recorded.

Head of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and Immunization Section, Health Service, DKI
Jakarta, Ngabila Salama, stated that at least 14 of the cases were active, suffered by male
patients aged 25-35 years and undergoing isolation at home. "PCR positivity rate 44%, all
had mild symptoms, all were infected from sexual contact," said Ngabila in a press
statement, Thursday (26/10/2023).

Symptoms and Signs of Monkeypox

In humans, the symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of chicken pox, but milder.
Symptoms begin with fever, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. The main difference
between the symptoms of chickenpox and monkeypox is that monkeypox causes swelling of
the lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) while chicken pox does not. The incubation period for
monkey pox usually ranges from 6 to 13 days but can also be 5 to 21 days.

In my opinion, the monkeypox outbreak really threatens the safety and health of the
Indonesian people, so the government must be quick to deal with the outbreak. There are
several actions that can be taken to prevent infection with the monkeypox virus in
Indonesia , which include:

Avoid contact with animals that may be reservoirs of the virus (including sick animals or
those found dead in areas where monkeypox occurs). Avoid contact with any materials, such
as bedding, that have been in contact with sick animals. Separate infected patients from
other people who may be at risk of infection. Wash your hands well and correctly after
contact with infected animals or humans. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when
caring for infected patients. Cook meat properly and thoroughly.

Even though monkeypox has not been reported in Indonesia, we still need to be vigilant and
careful. If you experience symptoms and signs as listed above, you are expected to
immediately report to a health service facility so that they can be treated immediately. (Arif
Suryo)

So the government should quickly deal with this monkeypox outbreak so that people are not
worried about this outbreak. With the existing prevention measures, we must follow and
cooperate with the government so that this outbreak does not spread outside of Indonesia.