Suspect Mpox Continues To Appear, DPR Reminds The Importance Of Special Handling For Children

JAKARTA - The suspect Mpox (MonkeyPox) case continues to grow in Indonesia. The Indonesian House of Representatives urges the Government to immediately reimplement health protocol obligations and prepare special treatment for children who have the potential to be exposed to Mpox, especially if there are families who are suspects.

"Mpox must be handled seriously. We urge the Government to immediately implement health protocols to the public and prepare more comprehensive handling, especially for children who are also at risk of being exposed to Mpox," said Member of Commission IX of the DPR, Rahmad Handoyo, Friday 6 September.

Rahmad hopes that the Government's high commitment to dealing with Mpox, especially based on information from the Ministry of Health (Kesehatan), there have been reports of ten suspected Mpox cases in Bali, Yogyakarta, Jakarta and its surroundings, and Kalimantan.

In Jabodetabek, suspect was found at Soekarno Hatta International Airport. Then there are also several suspected Mpox in the West Jakarta area. Previously, 3 suspected Mpox cases were also found in Palembang, South Sumatra, although the results of the laboratory examination had been declared negative.

Rahmad said the Government needs to be aware of the latest Mpox variant, which is fast spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, namely the 1B Clade, where this variant is quite dangerous for patients.

"Although there have been no additional positive cases of Mpox and Clade I, it has not been detected. The government must take concrete steps, one of which is the implementation of the health protocol for massive education to the public," he explained.

Although not a deadly disease, the Mpox disease that occurs due to infection with the MPXV virus is easily contagious. Transmission of the Mpox virus between humans can occur through direct contact in the form of shaking hands, joining hands, and including sexual contact.

The MPXV virus itself is a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. There are two clades of the MPXV virus, namely "Clade I" (with subclade Ia and Ib) and "Clade II" (with subclade IIa and IIb). "Clade Ia and Ib have more severe clinical manifestations when compared to "Clade II".

The Mpox Clade I variant, both He and Ib, has not been detected in Indonesia. Since 2022 until now, the variant found in Indonesia is the Clade II variant. A total of 88 Mpox cases found in Indonesia have also been declared cured.

Apart from that, Rahmad asked the Government to improve the epidemiological surveillance system, namely analytical activities carried out systematically and continuously on a disease so that countermeasures can be carried out effectively. This is considering the emergence of Mpox suspect cases in recent times.

"Early detection is key in mitigating the spread of disease. In addition, optimizing laboratory facilities to detect various pathogens quickly and accurately is also a priority," said Rahmad.

Furthermore, Rahmad asked the Government to improve education and socialization programs for the community. He also emphasized the importance of increasing the capacity of health workers and facilities to remote areas of the country.

"It also needs to be improved for training to health workers so that all health workers understand very well how to detect, handle, and report Mpox cases quickly and accurately," explained the legislator from the Central Java V electoral district.

Rahmad also encouraged the Government to make special steps for handling if the suspect or positive patient of Mpox was children. Because the treatment of pediatric patients is different from that of adult general patients, it can be seen during the last Covid-19 pandemic.

"Many mothers are afraid and worried that their children will get Mpox. Because if children are affected, they need parental or adult assistance, while Mpox is very contagious, even with just a touch like what happened in Africa," said Rahmad.

The United Nations Agency for Children (Unicef) revealed that at least 8,772 children contracted Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the epicenter of the Mpox outbreak in Africa. That number is more than half of the total cases reported in the DRC. In addition, 80 percent of Mpox deaths in the DRC also occur in children.

In Burundi, neighboring DRC, nearly 60 percent of Mpox cases occur in children and adolescents under the age of 20. As much as 21 percent of Mpox cases in children under the age of 5 are recorded. Mpox cases in children were also reported in a number of countries in Africa.

Therefore, Rahmad assessed that special treatment of potential child Mpox patients was needed.

The potential for Mpox in children is not meaningful for all children. This is specifically for children whose families have suspect Mpox. So if you become a suspect in Mpox, you must follow the recommendations of self-isolation so as not to infect your family, especially children," he explained.

"The government must also be able to provide certainty and guarantee that all health facilities and services are ready with the treatment and anticipation of the spread of this virus, including for Mpox suspects, which we must also protect," continued Rahmad.. Socialization and education to the public about Mpox and its handling are very important for the Government to do. Including how the self-isolation method if it becomes a suspect Mpox. The community also needs certainty from the Government that this disease can be treated, "said Rahmad.

On the other hand, the member of the House of Representatives Health Commission appealed to people who have children to always pay attention to their children's health conditions. Given, said Rahmad, WHO (World Health Organization) said children were at higher risk of developing Mpox in severe condition than adults.

Even though it doesn't mean that people have to be afraid or panicked, anticipating it is better than treating it. Make sure our children are maintained with discipline in implementing health protocols. As much as possible avoid crowded places or crowds first," he appealed.

WHO data shows that the ratio of Mpox case deaths in children under the age of one reached 8.6 percent. This is higher than deaths from 2.4 percent of patients aged 15 years and over.

"But people don't need to feel anxious and worried for a long time because this disease can be treated. Follow official information from the Government and increase literacy about Mpox, such as early symptoms and how to handle it," said Rahmad.