Mpox Cases Increase, Puan Asks The Government To Immediately Maximize People's Protection

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani. (doc the DPR)

Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, asked the Government to immediately take effective steps to ensure public protection considering the increasing number of cases of monkeypox (Monkeypox or Mpox) in Indonesia.

"The number of Mpox spread continues to increase, the Government needs to immediately take effective steps in overcoming the spread of this disease and guarantee maximum protection for the community," said Puan in a statement received, Wednesday, August 21.

Puan assessed that the government must intensify education to the public about the Mpox outbreak considering that the Monkeypox virus is not an arbitrary disease.

Mpox itself is a species of smallpox virus, characterized by a rash followed by a lump that appears on the skin. In chickenpox, the lents are then filled with liquid and eventually run over.

"There must be massive education and socialization considering that this disease can be transmitted through various types of close contacts, including through skin rashes that are affected," he said.

"At least education about how to transmit, symptoms, and preventive measures must be conveyed widely and clearly," continued Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture believes that there are still many people who do not know about the Mpox outbreak. Puan reminded that the risk of death in Mpox is higher than COVID-19.

There are still many people who do not understand this monkeypox. So it is very important to socialize. It can be done by counseling and utilizing environmental health cadres," he said.

There are two virus Monkeypox Codes, namely Clade I from Central Africa (Congo Basin) with a 1a subclade. This 1a subclade has a higher case fatality rate (CFR) than other clades and is transmitted through several transmission modes. Meanwhile, the 1b subclade is transmitted mostly from sexual contact with CFR 11 percent.

Unlike Clade I, Clade II comes from West Africa with subclades IIa and IIb with 3.6 percent CFR. Clade II has a low CFR with cases mostly coming from sexual contact at the time of the outbreak in 2022.

Scientists found thousands of Clade I cases in the Mpox case in 16 countries in Africa with a death rate of 3-4 percent. Therefore, public education and awareness must be carried out intensively, including through various communication channels such as social media, television, radio, and direct campaigns in local communities.

"The community must be empowered with correct knowledge so that they can take appropriate preventive action," said Puan.

Puan also asked the Government to ensure that all Mpox cases in Indonesia are reported accurately and on time. This is to identify the pattern of spread and determine effective handling steps.

"Every health facility, both at the center and in the regions, must be equipped with a clear and standardized reporting protocol," he said.

The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) issued the latest report in which as of Saturday 17 August, there were 88 confirmed cases of Mpox in Indonesia. In detail, there were 59 cases spread across DKI Jakarta, West Java 13 cases, Banten 9 cases, East Java 3 cases, Yogyakarta Special Region 3 cases, and Riau Islands 1 case. Of these, 87 cases have been declared cured.

To reduce the spread of Mpox, Puan also reminded the Government to increase surveillance efforts.

"It's not enough just to surveillance at health facilities, but also to tighten checks at all entrances to the country, both land, sea and air to anticipate the spread of the virus," said Puan.

Bung Karno's grandson also advised the public to immediately check at the nearest health facility if they feel symptoms of Mpox such as a rash on the skin. Puan said health checks with experts were needed to avoid dangerous effects.

"Because this is an infectious disease, there needs to be serious treatment. It is better not to do self-diagnostics to prevent things that we do not want to happen," he explained.

Puan also appealed to the public to increase awareness of this Mpox outbreak. Several things can be done to prevent the Mpox virus, including by carrying out the JYNNEOS vaccine, avoiding close contact with symptomatic people, avoiding touching items contaminated with animals or infected people, and washing hands after contact with people or infected animals.

"We also hope that the Government will improve the health infrastructure spread across Indonesia, so that all detected cases can be handled quickly," said Puan.

It is said that the DPR will continue to ensure that protection from the community is a top priority. Of course, according to Puan, this is also accompanied by public awareness of the dangers of Mpox disease.

"With the Government increasing reporting capacity, monitoring, and education, the public will feel more protected and the Government can take faster and more precise action in dealing with emerging Mpox cases," he added.

For information, WHO has not announced the Mpox outbreak as a global health emergency to watch out for. On August 14, WHO designated Mpox as an International Public Health Emergency (Public Health Emergency of International Concern/PHEIC) following an increase in Mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and a number of countries in Africa.

"Although cases in Indonesia are not like in Africa, the Government must ensure that it is prepared with all its worst scenarios so that the handling of the Mpox outbreak can run optimally," said Puan.