2 Meranti Residents Allegedly Monkeypox Undergoes Tests, Riau Health Office: Negative Mpox Virus
JAKARTA - The Riau Province Health Office (Dinkes) submitted the results of laboratory tests by the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) on two residents of Meranti Islands Regency showing negative monkeypox (Monkeypox/Mpox).
"We have received the results of an examination from the Center for the Ministry of Health's Health Biology Laboratory. As a result, the two Meranti Islands residents on behalf of BS and ZN tested negative for the Mpox Virus," said Acting Head of the Riau Health Service (Diskes) Widodo in Pekanbaru, Wednesday, as reported by Antara.
He said that BS began to complain of fever on September 12, 2025 while at the Islamic boarding school. Symptoms of fever followed by the emergence of red spots which then developed into lesions and continued to spread every day.
On September 17, due to continued deteriorating conditions, BS was taken to the Meranti Islands Regional General Hospital for further medical treatment. However, three days after that or on Saturday 20 September, BS reportedly died.
He said that Zu's patient, who had been treated at the hospital, had returned home.
"So what we took from the samples was only two BS and Zu, while the other 17 students were only isolated," he said.
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Previously, 17 students at one of the Islamic boarding schools in Meranti Islands Regency were suspected of having monkeypox.
The Meranti Health Office went directly to the Islamic boarding school where the students studied.
In that place, his party had sprayed disinfectants, distributed vitamins and hand sanitizers to students, and conducted epidemiological investigations (PE).
In an effort to prevent, Ade appealed to the public to implement clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS), such as regular exercise, adequate rest, maintaining environmental cleanliness, and eating nutritious food.
"We have also written to the heads of UPT Puskesmas throughout Meranti Islands Regency and the Director of RSUD to increase vigilance and carry out active surveillance," he said.