IDI Reminds Increasing Alertness After Monkeypox Enters ASEAN

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

BANJARMASIN - Chairman of the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) for South Kalimantan (Kalsel) Sigit Prasetia Kurniawan reminded the public of the importance of increasing vigilance after monkeypox (monkeypox) entered ASEAN countries.

"This disease has been confirmed to infect citizens in two ASEAN countries, namely Singapore and Thailand, so now we must be vigilant," he said in Banjarmasin as reported by ANTARA, Friday, July 29.

Sigit explained that there are three important principles that must be followed in handling a disease outbreak, namely detection, tracing and quarantine.

Detection, namely the ability to recognize indications of monkeypox, is the first thing that must be prepared properly.

Because it is classified as a zoonosis, monkeypox is not only transmitted between animals but also from animals to humans.

Sigit said monkeypox had an incubation period of 15 to 21 days. In the first 1 to 3 days after exposure, sufferers usually develop a fever with severe headache.

After that, smallpox-like spots appear, but typically they appear on the soles of the feet and hands. It can take up to 10 days for it to dry.

"If there are findings like this, they must be immediately reported to health workers at the puskesmas, clinic or hospital for medical treatment, followed by close contact tracing and quarantine to reduce the risk of spreading," he explained.

Moreover, between humans, monkeypox can be transmitted through direct contact. For this reason, according to him, it is important to immediately quarantine if there are patients who are confirmed to be exposed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated monkeypox (monkeypox) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) or a public health emergency that is troubling the world.

With this status, it means that monkeypox has become a global health threat.