Monkeypox Enters Indonesia, Epidemiologist: Symptoms Fever, Muscle Pain, Swollen Lymph Nodes To Rash On The Skin

Cases of monkeypox or monkeypox. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Head of the Professional Development Division of the Indonesian Association of Epidemiologists (PAEI) Masdalina Pane said the public needed to recognize the symptoms of monkeypox or monkeypox in order to play an active role in efforts to prevent the disease.

"Given that the first case of monkeypox has been found in Indonesia, the public must know the signs or symptoms of monkeypox," he said when contacted from Jakarta, Monday, August 22.

Thus, he said, if there are family members who suffer from symptoms that lead to monkeypox, they can be immediately taken to the nearest health facility.

"Thus, in health facilities it will be ascertained whether monkeypox or not can be immediately followed up and handled, this is important for initial treatment," he said.

The researcher from the Center for Public Health Research at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) explained that all parties, including the community, have a very important role in controlling the spread of disease.

"In an effort to control a disease, all of us play an important role," he added.

He added, socialization and education to the public need to be intensified so that people can recognize what monkeypox is and can play an active role in prevention efforts.

Masdalina 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.

Meanwhile, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Mohammad Syahril, announced the first confirmed case of monkeypox in Indonesia, namely a 27-year-old man from DKI Jakarta.

It added that the patient was a traveler from abroad and had symptoms of fever and rash in several parts of the body.

"There is fever, then there is also enlargement of the spleen, but he is in good condition, meaning he is not seriously ill and has smallpox or rashes on the face, on the palms of the hands, feet and some around the genitals," he said.