59 Jakarta Residents Infected With Monkey Pox, Homosexual Perpetrators Most Vulnerable To Attack

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Provincial Government of Jakarta recorded 59 confirmed cases of monkey pox (Monkeypox/Mpox) from October 13, 2023 to August 19, 2024. Head of DKI Jakarta Health Department, Ani Ruspitawati said, while based on the distribution of Mpox cases in Jakarta in 2024, there are 11 cases of Mpox spread across eight districts in Jakarta.

In detail, six cases were recorded in January 2024, then three cases in February 2024, then one each in May and June occurred outside Jakarta. “The cases were found in Ciracas, Grogol Petamburan, Jatinegara, Kebon Jeruk, Matraman, Pasar Minggu, Tanah Abang and Tanjung Priok. All cases were found in residents aged 21 to 50,” he said in a statement in Jakarta, Monday (26/8/2024).

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Cases of Mpox in Indonesia especially in Jakarta continue to be a concern even though pandemic status has been revoked by the World Health Agency (WHO) on May 5, 2023. Therefore, early vigilance against Mpox disease remains in place to prevent further spread.

Ani said the Provincial Government (Pemprov) of DKI continues to implement a system of prevention against Mpox, including health promotion related to Mpox prevention and transmission, reporting cases through hospitals and health centers. In addition, a control case study was conducted that provided handling recommendations.

“The results of the study identified a vulnerable group of Mpox transmission, namely men aged 20-40 who work outside the home, have homosexual and bisexual sexual orientation and HIV or STI patients,” Ani said.

The group takes precedence in Mpox-related health education and promotion programs. Ani said the 2023 Mpox vaccination programme had reached 495 people from key populations or high-risk groups.

“To date, 495 people have received the first dose of the vaccine, while 430 people have received the second dose. There are still 42 vials of vaccine left to be used as needed,” he said.

The clinical picture of Mpox patients in the 2022 and 2023 outbreaks is fever, headache, muscle pain, back pain, body fatigue accompanied by a rash or lesions in the form of a flaccid or small whitish bubble with a dark center. “With continued measures, it is hoped that Mpox cases in Jakarta can be minimized and people remain vigilant and play an active role in efforts to prevent the spread of the disease,” Ani said.

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