Health Sub-Department Finds 3 Positive Monkeypox Patients In East Jakarta

JAKARTA - The East Jakarta Health Sub-dept. (Sudin) found three positive cases of monkeypox (monkey pox/mux) in the area.

"Based on a case notification from a health facility in East Jakarta, there were three positive confirmed cases out of 10 suspected. Two patients live in East Jakarta and one patient outside East Jakarta," said Head of East Jakarta Health Sub-dept. Herwin Meifendy as reported by ANTARA, Monday, September 2.

Until now, he continued, the three patients had to undergo isolation at the hospital to prevent transmission.

However, he did not explain which three patients were hospitalized.

According to him, the treatment of patients with confirmed monkeypox cases is a supportive treatment to relieve symptoms, such as fever, pain and fatigue.

"Api antivirus, such as tecovirimat, can be given to reduce disease severity and accelerate recovery," he said.

Meanwhile, prevention from this disease can be done by carrying out clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS), such as washing hands thoroughly, maintaining environmental cleanliness and limiting contact with infected people.

Previously, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government recorded as many as 59 confirmed cases of monkeypox (monkeypox) from October 13, 2023 to August 19, 2024.

Head of the DKI Jakarta Health Office, Ani Ruspitawati, said that while based on the distribution of the case in Jakarta in 2024, there were 11 cases and eight cases spread across Jakarta sub-districts.

In detail, six cases were recorded in January 2024, then three cases in February 2024, then one case each in May and June occurred outside Jakarta.

The cases were found in Ciracas, Grogol Petamburan, Jatinegara, Kebon Jeruk, Matraman, Pasar Minggu, Tanah Abang and Tanjung Priok. All cases were found in residents aged 21 to 50 years.

This case in Indonesia, especially Jakarta, continues to be a concern even though the status of the pandemic has been revoked by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 5, 2023.

Therefore, early vigilance against this disease is still being carried out to prevent further spread.

Ani said the DKI Provincial Government (Pemprov) continues to carry out a silting prevention system to include health promotions related to prevention and transmission, reporting case discovery through hospitals and health centers.

In addition, a control case study was also carried out which provided recommendations for handling. The results of the study identified a group of vulnerable transmissions, namely men aged 20-40 years who worked outside the home, had a sexual orientation of homosexuals and bisexuals as well as HIV or IMS patients.

This group is prioritized in education and health promotion programs related to this disease.

Ani said the 2023 mpox vaccination program had reached 495 people from key populations or high risk groups.

"Until now, as many as 495 people have received the first dose of the vaccine, while 430 people have received the second dose. There are still 42 vials of vaccine that will be used as needed," he said.