Soedarso Hospital Pontianak Treats Patients Suspected Of Infected With Monkey Smallpox

PONTIANAK - Soedarso Regional General Hospital (RSUD) Pontianak, West Kalimantan, is currently treating one patient suspected of contracting monkeypox (monkeypox).

Head of the West Kalimantan Provincial Health Office, Hary Agung TJ in Pontianak, Friday, said the patient came from Singkawang City and has been treated by Soedarso Pontianak Regional Hospital since June 14.

He explained that symptomatically, the patient was still experiencing smallpox as usual so further examinations were carried out, both physically and in the laboratory to determine whether it was true that he had monkeypox or ordinary smallpox.

"The characteristics of monkeypox are somewhat more severe than normal smallpox because the lumps contain more water than ordinary smallpox, with symptoms of fever, weakness, chills, and so on but not fatal", he said, quoted by Antara, Friday, June 17.

He explained, that the transmission of monkeypox can be from rodents, such as mice, and squirrels, and including from monkeys themselves, which are caused by bites or scratches from these animals.

"For transmission, it can be through saliva splashes, and others, so if there is this case, then the patient must be immediately isolated", he said.

However, according to him, complications from monkeypox rarely occur so the symptoms are mild, but for treatment, isolation must be carried out so that it does not spread to other people.

"This disease can indeed be prevented by complete basic immunization and implementing a clean lifestyle to avoid germs and viruses.

According to him, his party is conducting laboratory tests on the patient. "For the results, it can take two weeks to determine whether the patient does have monkeypox or ordinary smallpox", he said.

He added, that this disease will heal by itself, which is about four weeks.

"And this monkey disabled patient is the first in West Kalimantan", he said.