Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes RI) again reported an increase in the number of cases of monkey pox or monkeypox in Indonesia, Wednesday (1/11/2023).

Head of the Indonesian Ministry of Health’s Communications and Public Services Bureau, dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, revealed that as of Wednesday (1/11/2023), the Ministry of Health recorded 29 total confirmed cases of monkey pox in the country.

“Currently, there are 29 confirmed cases [cacar monyet]. “This data is as of November 1, 2023,” said Dr. Nadia to CNBC Indonesia, Tuesday (31/10/2023).

“All patients are in generally good condition, but no one has completed their isolation,” continued Dr. Nadia.

Previously, Dr. Nadia revealed that as of October 30 2023, the total number of monkey pox cases in Indonesia was 27 patients. Thus, Indonesia added two cases of monkey pox in early November 2023.

Meanwhile, the two new cases are male patients under 30 years old and come from DKI Jakarta.

Based on data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, 23 cases were in DKI Jakarta; one case came from Bandung, West Java; two cases are in South Tangerang; two cases in Tangerang Regency; and one case in Tangerang City, Banten.

All confirmed patients with monkey pox are men aged 18 to 49 years and have a history of risky sex, such as multiple partners and same-sex sex.

“With a history of changing and having many sexual partners and sex with the same sex,” explained Dr. Nadia.

Monkey pox is a deadly disease

Monkey pox is a rare, deadly disease caused by the Monkeypox virus. Historically, case fatality ratios have ranged from 0-11% in the general population, and are higher among children.

According to records from the World Health Organization (WHO), monkey pox was first identified in humans in 1970. Once an endemic disease in the West African region, monkey pox has now spread widely across the continents of Europe, America, Asia and Australia.

The incubation period (interval from infection to the appearance of symptoms) of monkeypox usually ranges from 6 to 13 days. However, in some cases, the incubation period can be longer, up to 21 days.

The illness usually begins with flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms then develop into a painful rash that can spread throughout the body, including the genitals.

In order to avoid the spread of monkey pox cases, Dr. Nadia emphasized the public not to have risky sex and immediately visit a health facility (faskes) if symptoms are found.

“Don’t engage in risky sexual behavior. If you have to, use protection and don’t change partners,” advised Dr. Nadia told CNBC Indonesia on a different occasion, quoted on Wednesday (1/11/2023).

“If there are symptoms of smallpox lesions, immediately go to the health facility and get an examination,” he stressed.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

(hsy/hsy)