Health Office Calls Deviant Sex Potentially Transmitted Mpox

The Health Office of Palembang City, South Sumatra stated that deviant sexual behavior has the potential to transmit the Monkeypox virus or monkeypox. (ANTARA/HO-Palembang Health Office)

PALEMBANG - The Health Office (Dinkes) of Palembang City, South Sumatra (Sumsel), said that deviant sexual behavior has the potential to transmit the Monkey Pox (Mpox) virus or monkeypox. Head of the Disease Prevention and Control Division of the Palembang Health Office, Yudhi Setiawan, explained that deviant sexual behavior can trigger monkeypox. This is evidenced by the findings of several cases in Indonesia that were transmitted due to deviant sexual relations behavior. "We urge residents to maintain safe sexual behavior and maintain environmental cleanliness in preventing monkeypox in Palembang City," he said in Palembang, Antara, Friday, September 6. He said that currently in Palembang City there are still no cases of monkeypox. Regarding the busy information circulating about the residents of Palembang who were affected by monkeypox based on the test results, it was not a monkeypox but ordinary smallpox. He added that if there are residents who are affected by monkeypox, they will be given symtomatic treatment or reduce these symptoms. Previously, the South Sumatra Health Office had issued Circular Letter (SE) Number 443.33/7674/Kes/VII/2024 concerning Increasing Vigilance Against Mpox in the South Sumatra Region on August 28, 2024. Although no one has been exposed, initial anticipation needs to be done to ensure that the virus can be anticipated.

Dalam SE tersebut Dinkes Sumsel meminta kepada Dinkes di seluruh kabupaten dan kota tetap waspada menghadapi virus Mpox. Pihaknya pun meminta pengawasan terhadap pintu masuk antar wilayah untuk diperiksa di wilayah masing-masing.