Indonesia, through the Ministry of Health, has announced 88 confirmed cases of Mpox spread nationwide (17/8/2024). Based on confirmed weekly trends, the biggest spread of Mpox virus occurred in October 2023 through the period from 2022 to 2024.
Citing a press release by the acting director general of disease prevention and control on the Ministry of Health, Yudji Pramono, it was reported that out of 88 confirmed cases of Mpox, 54 cases were identified because the Clade IIb variant. The Clade II variant is the dominant strain accountable for the Mpox outbreak, with a lower mortality rate. The disease is especially transmitted through sexual contact.
According to the official website of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Mpox (formerly referred to as monkeypox) is a disease attributable to the monkeypox virus. It was originally a zoonotic disease transmitted from animals to humans.
Read also: WHO raises alarm: Mpox is now a worldwide public health threat
Mpox, or what was previously called monkeypox, can be transmitted from individual to individual. In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) modified the name of the disease from monkeypox to Mpox to avoid racism and stigmatization.
Among the 88 confirmed Mpox cases in Indonesia, several locations were confirmed as a part of the Mpox Update Indonesia Weekly Report (4–17 August 2024), namely: Jakarta with 59 cases, West Java with 13 cases, Banten with 9 cases, East Java with 3 cases, Yogyakarta Special Region with 3 cases, and Riau Islands with 1 case.
According to Yudji Pramono, Acting Director General of Disease Prevention and Control on the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, 87 of the 88 confirmed Mpox cases have been considered recovered.
Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) as a consequence of the brand new Mpox variant spreading in 13 African countries. The External Situation Report 35, published by the World Health Organization on August 12, 2024, stated that a complete of 99,176 cases of Mpox were confirmed through laboratory tests between January 1, 2022 and June 30, 2024. The death toll reached 208, spreading to 116 countries/areas/territories.
Read also: Southeast Asia amongst regions hit by Mpox spread
Some of the symptoms experienced by an infected person
Mpox virus infection may be recognized by the next symptoms experienced by the infected person:
- Appearance of a rash 1–3 days after the fever, in the shape of spots, papules, vesicles, pustules, and crusts, much like that seen with smallpox.
- Fever, temperature above 38℃.
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
- Associated symptoms may include muscle pain, difficulty swallowing, diarrhea, and genital inflammation.
Preventive measures to stop the spread of the Mpox virus
Below are preventive measures to stop the spread of the Mpox virus:
- Avoid sexual contact with multiple partners.
- Do not engage in sexual activity with anyone who has symptoms of Mpox, resembling a purulent skin rash.
- If you experience symptoms of Mpox, including purulent skin rashes, it is best to immediately go to hospital for examination.
