Epidemiologist: Society Must Play A Role In Prevention Of Monkeypox

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JAKARTA - Head of the Professional Development Division of the Indonesian Association of Epidemiologists (PAEI) Masdalina Pane said the community must play an active role in preventing monkeypox or monkeypox.

"The public must understand about this disease so that they can play an active role in joint prevention efforts," he said when contacted in Jakarta, Antara, Tuesday, July 26.

Masdalina Pane explained that one example of the role of the community is to immediately seek medical attention if they feel symptoms that point to the disease.

"The community is the front line in efforts to prevent a disease, so education and socialization need to be strengthened, so that people can recognize monkeypox and can play an active role in prevention efforts," he said.

The researcher from the Public Health Research Center of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) explained that monkeypox is a viral disease caused by Orthopoxvirus.

"The incubation period is between 5-21 days, with symptoms varying in each patient, but similar to other infectious diseases, in general the symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and a typical rash on the skin," he said. .

According to Pane, in line with the rate of transmission of this disease, public awareness needs to be increased.

"The most important thing is that there is no stigma associated with this disease because it is feared, stigma will make someone who feels symptoms will be afraid to report or get checked," he said.

Pane also said that the early detection system needs to be strengthened as a precautionary measure considering that the World Health Organization (WHO) has now decided that global monkeypox is a public health emergency of international concern.

"The active role of the community is also very important to strengthen the control system for this disease," he said.

Previously, a health expert, Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama reminded the need for intensive socialization related to monkeypox or monkeypox to the community down to the village or sub-district level.