Health Ministry Tightens Surveillance After Monkeypox Declared an Emergency

TheIndonesia.co - Indonesian Health Ministry said it has started strengthening surveillance in all entry points following information from the World Health Organization (WHO) that declared the monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

Director general of disease prevention and control Maxi Rein Rondonuwu said to prevent monkeypox infection in Indonesia, the Ministry has enhanced surveillance in all entry points.

“Since monkeypox was reported in some countries, the Ministry has been conducting active surveillance in all entry points, including airports and seaports,” Rondonuwu said on Monday, July 25, as reported by Antara.

Port health offices are tasked with closely monitoring travelers who come from countries in which monkeypox cases have been reported. Officers will check body temperature as well as symptoms experienced by travelers.

Furthermore, the Ministry is also monitoring gay community as a worrying number of infections have reported among gay and bisexual men. Rondonuwu said the Ministry is working with a number of institutions and NGOs to observe the group.

“Generally, the symptoms of monkeypox are rash, red spots, or small bumps on face and palms of hands,” Rondonuwu explained.

He also confirmed that monkeypox has not been found in Indonesia and reminded the public to rigorously implement necessary health protocols, such as washing hands and avoiding direct contacts with individuals who are showing symptoms.

The Ministry’s official also ordered members of the public to immediately go to the nearest health facility if they experience signs of monkeypox.

Ministry of Health also prepares labs in all province to help detecting monkeypox infection.

On July 23, WHO announced the ongoing monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, and it reported that over 16,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported from 75 countries.

According to WHO, the monkeypox virus can be transmitted from infected animals to humans via direct or indirect contact.

“Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with infectious skin or lesions, including face-to-face, skin-to-skin, and respiratory droplets,” the organization said.

“In the current outbreak countries and amongst the reported monkeypox cases, transmission appears to be occurring primarily through close physical contact, including sexual contact. Transmission can also occur from contaminated materials such as linens, bedding, electronics, clothing, that have infectious skin particles.”