VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Ministry of Health is intensifying the handling of mpox (monkeypox) cases through four measures — surveillance, therapeutics, vaccinations, and risk communication.

This was conveyed by the ministry's director general of disease prevention and control, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, when contacted here on Monday.

According to him, the measures have been taken in response to the seven active cases of mpox in Indonesia, which have all been detected in Jakarta.

He said that the efforts to curb cases through surveillance have included epidemiological investigations of confirmed cases so that close contacts can be traced and the source of infection can be identified, and the results of the investigations will continue to be updated.

Another form of surveillance has been the setting up of a reference laboratory to confirm cases and conduct sequencing.

"We are also routinely coordinating with health offices, community health centers (puskesmas), and hospitals and utilizing recording and reporting via the Mpox NAR (New All Record system)," he informed.

Rondonuwu further said that therapeutic and vaccination efforts are being made by preparing the logistics for medicines, treatment, and monitoring isolation, as well as conducting pilot vaccinations for risk groups such as health workers and close contacts.

The Ministry of Health is also intensively carrying out risk communication by sending alerts through circular letters to all health officials in regions and notifying the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding confirmed cases.

"We are also trying to provide communication media, such as FAQs (frequently asked questions) and short videos," he added.

The Health Ministry is also actively collecting global and regional information through trusted official information portals, which will be periodically reported to the relevant stakeholders.

The ministry has so far confirmed seven active cases of mpox in Indonesia. All of them have been detected in Jakarta.

The seven active cases have involved local transmission, though one of the patients has a history of travel abroad. (Antaranews)