JAKARTA (ANN/JAKARTA POST) – Authorities in Jakarta are intensifying efforts to combat the spread of mpox following the identification of three suspected cases in the city. One case is currently under close monitoring at a health facility, while the other two individuals are self-isolating at home.
The Jakarta Health Agency has activated community health centers (Puskesmas) across the city and is educating medical personnel on how to handle suspected mpox cases, aiming to prevent the highly contagious disease from spreading.
“All of our health facilities are prepared to manage mpox cases, and our medical personnel at Puskesmas are well-trained to identify early symptoms,” Jakarta Health Agency Head Ani Ruspitawati stated on Monday. She also reassured the public that no new positive cases have been recorded recently.
“We have confirmed 11 positive cases so far this year, with nine originating in Jakarta and the remainder from outside the city, all of whom have recovered. While we’ve received reports of suspected cases recently, we can confirm that none were infected with mpox,” Ruspitawati added.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral zoonotic disease transmitted through close physical and sexual contact, as well as contaminated objects. Symptoms include muscle aches, fever, and large skin lesions.
The disease has seen outbreaks since July in several African countries, with the latest variant, identified as clade Ib, being more transmissible and deadlier than previous strains. This variant has also been detected in several countries outside Africa, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global health emergency for mpox in mid-August.
Indonesia reported its first mpox case in 2022, with the patient contracting the less virulent clade II variant. Since then, 88 cases have been recorded nationwide, 59 of which were in Jakarta.
In response, Indonesia has escalated its efforts to mitigate the spread of the disease through monitoring, testing, and vaccination, although current vaccination efforts are primarily focused on high-risk populations.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasised the importance of public vigilance, particularly in avoiding risky sexual behavior, given that mpox transmission mirrors that of HIV. “The most important thing is for the public to remain vigilant,” Sadikin noted last week, as reported by Antara.
In a recent move, the government intensified mpox vaccinations in Bali, coinciding with the second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) being held from September 1 to 3. The forum is set to focus on sectors such as food, energy, health, and mineral resources. During the event, Minister Budi announced Indonesia’s donation of 5,000 vaccine doses to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to aid in controlling the mpox outbreak in the region.
“The move is beneficial for diplomacy. By supporting our African counterparts, we position ourselves to procure more vaccines if needed,” Budi commented on Tuesday during the IAF.
As a preventive measure, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia’s main air entry point, now requires all inbound travelers to register their details through the SatuSehat electronic health pass.
The airport’s Senior Branch Manager of Communication and Legal Affairs, M. Holik Muardi, confirmed that all international passengers entering Indonesia must complete the SatuSehat self-declaration form before departure. “This policy applies to arrivals from all countries without exception and has been in effect since August 29,” Holik stated on Monday.
The SatuSehat health pass collects travelers’ personal information, including travel history for the past 21 days, and generates a barcode for airport officers to scan upon arrival. The app also provides a color-coded health risk rating to assist in monitoring.
In addition to the registration requirement, airport authorities are urging all travelers to practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of mpox. “The health and safety of all passengers is our utmost priority. We have implemented various proactive measures to prevent the spread of mpox at Soekarno-Hatta airport, in collaboration with the Health Quarantine Center and other relevant authorities,” Holik emphasised.
