Experienced Fever And Rash Appears, Suspected Monkeypox In South Sulawesi Added One Person And Now Isolated At Labuang Baji Hospital, Makassar

PIXABAY ILLUSTRATION

MAKASSAR - The South Sulawesi Health Office (Dinkes) has again released one more suspected monkeypox or monkeypox patient. The patient is currently receiving isolation treatment at Labuang Baji Hospital, Makassar.

The Head of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) at the South Sulawesi Health Office, Dr. Erwan Tri Sulistyo, explained that according to the characteristics of monkeypox, the patient had fever, rashes on his body, so he suspected monkeypox.

Previously, the South Sulawesi Health Office had also announced a suspected monkeyfox being treated at the Hasanuddin University Education Hospital, Tuesday (23/8). Thus, the total number of suspected monkeypox patients in South Sulawesi is two.

He said that if the first suspect patient had a history of traveling to Jakarta one week ago, this was not the case with this second suspected monkeypox patient.

"He comes from Makassar who is only 20 years old. He has never been anywhere, but the disease he feels has characteristics resembling monkeypox," he was quoted as saying by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 24.

Sampling was immediately carried out by medical personnel and then sent to the Ministry of Health laboratory through BBLK (Health Laboratory Center).

"This afternoon (24/8) we sent the sample to Jakarta, along with the sample of the first suspect patient. It is possible that until tomorrow morning and afternoon it will be examined at the Ministry of Health's lab. Two days later the results will be known," he said.

Currently, the South Sulawesi Health Office is conducting observations on patients and their families.

According to him, "tracking" cannot be carried out because there are no laboratory results on samples of patients with suspected monkeypox.

In addition, this is in order not to want to create panic in the community. Nevertheless, the Health Office appealed to the people of South Sulawesi to maintain health protocols, especially the use of masks.

"This is a virus, almost the same as COVID-19, the transmission is also fast. Clean and Healthy Lifestyle (PHBS) is very important to prevent this virus," said Erwan Tri Sulistyo.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Makassar Health Service, Dr. Nursaidah Sirajuddin, confirmed that one of the residents of Makassar City was suspected of being infected with monkeypox.

It has investigated the patient, and it is certain that he has never traveled outside the city. However, Nursaidah did not clearly know the patient's activities.

"He has been treated since last Tuesday night and the sample has been taken to be sent to the Litbankes of the Ministry of Health. The patient is undergoing isolation treatment at the Labuang Baji Hospital," said Nursaidah.