Ministry Of Health Announces 2 Laboratories In Indonesia Ready To Investigate Pattern Of Monkeypox Spread

Illustration of the Ministry of Health laboratory ready to conduct an examination to detect the virus that causes monkeypox. (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) announced that two laboratories are ready to carry out examinations to detect the virus that causes monkeypox or monkeypox.

Ministry of Health spokesman Mohammad Syahril said an epidemiological investigation of monkeypox would soon be carried out at the two facilities.

"There are two laboratories that are ready, namely the Infectious Disease Research Laboratory Prof. Dr. Sri Oemijati BKPK Ministry of Health and at the IPB Primate Animal Study Center, Bogor," he said when asked for confirmation, Thursday, July 28.

According to him, the two laboratory facilities are ready to examine samples from patients suspected of having monkeypox in order to detect disease transmission at an early stage.

Syahril said that the government would add ten laboratories in strategic areas to support efforts to track massive cases of disease transmission.

In addition to setting up laboratory facilities, the Ministry of Health has also prepared antivirals and vaccines to combat the transmission of monkeypox.

"We communicate with the international community who have done vaccines and treatments," said Syahril.

Since the transmission of monkeypox spread in a number of countries, the Ministry of Health has monitored developments and collected information on the transmission of the disease and made efforts to increase public awareness of the risks of the disease.

Monkeypox is a zoonosis caused by viral infection of the genus Orthopoxviridae. This viral infection is generally characterized by purulent nodules on the skin.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded more than 18,000 cases of monkeypox in 78 countries and has declared a public health emergency status that is troubling the world due to the transmission of the disease.

This status requires each country to respond quickly to disease transmission by implementing prevention, control and treatment measures.

Syahril appealed to the public to increase awareness of the transmission of monkeypox and apply health protocols and a clean and healthy lifestyle (PHBS) to avoid disease transmission.

The government has sent a circular to all airlines, land and sea transportation managers, as well as hospitals, health centers, and other health care facilities to increase awareness of monkeypox transmission.

"That this case could enter Indonesia and we must be ready," he said.