SURABAYA - East Java Province has so far confirmed zero cases of the Monkeypox virus or monkeypox. However, the Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, appealed to the people of East Java to remain calm and discipline the health protocols (Prokes).
"Alhamdulillah, in East Java no cases have been identified and hopefully the virus does not reach here. But that doesn't mean we can ignore Monkeypox. So I urge people to remain calm while following health protocols," said Khofifah in Surabaya, Monday, August 22.
The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) previously confirmed the first case of monkeypox in Indonesia. The case was found in a 27-year-old male patient on Friday, August 19, 2022, after traveling to the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and France.
Khofifah said the Monkeypox virus was transmitted through close human-to-human contact. Symptoms include fever, headache, skin rash, muscle aches and fatigue.
"Actually, the transmission rate of Monkeypox is lower than COVID-19 and the symptoms are almost the same as chickenpox. But we must remain alert like when we faced a pandemic," he said.
He asked the public not to panic. He explained that Monkeypox did not need centralized isolation like when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. However, because it is transmitted through close contact with people who have monkeypox, you should stay alert and keep your distance.
"We must continue to educate ourselves by updating the latest information. Do not let us not know what Monkeypox is and how to prevent it. Also avoid hoax news so that a conducive atmosphere is maintained," he said.
Moreover, patients affected by Monkeypox can recover on their own from the symptoms suffered in the second or fourth week. However, clinical management must continue to be improved to speed up the recovery process and minimize scars.
"So far, information from the Ministry of Health is that patients can recover on their own if there are no additional infections or severe comorbidities. So, in addition to carrying out health protocols, we must also maintain a healthy lifestyle," he said.
Khofifah invites the synergy of elements of society and government to work together to prevent the spread of Monkeypox in East Java. He also said that his party will continue to monitor the development of the virus so that it can be controlled.
"Once again, to deal with this we need the cooperation of all parties. Health services must be ready with appropriate facilities and treatment. People must comply with health protocols and do not travel abroad if it is not urgent. And the government must oversee this until it is finished," he said.
For information, currently the confirmed positive cases of Monkeypox have reached 39,718 people worldwide. Of the total cases, the death rate was recorded at 12 people or less than 0.001 percent
According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the central government has prepared 1,200 reagents for the Monkeypox examination which is carried out when there is a suspicion of transmission. Later, Monkeypox PCR will be performed on rashes on the patient's body.
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