The Ministry of Health has been performing, and continues to perform, socialization and education to citizens, health workers, and health facilities so that they become alert of the monkeypox. To prevent infection, citizens are asked to maintain health protocols and to adopt a clean and heavy lifestyle. “The recent health protocols work not just to prevent Covid-19 and monkeypox, but all infectious diseases in general,” dr. Syahril said.
Manage Complications
The Government has instructed all Regional Health Offices, hospitals, and community clinics to pay extra attention to the prevention and treatment of monkeypox. “We don’t want any health worker in any of our health facilities to be unaware of monkeypox. It is part of the global alert. Only two places have the PCR testing facilities for monkeypox, i.e. the Ministry of Health’s Health Development Policy Agency (Badan Kebijakan Pembangunan Kesehatan – “BKPK Kemenkes RI”) national referral laboratory, and the Bogor Institute of Agriculture’s laboratory. We are now upgrading 10 more laboratories so that they can perform PCR testing for the disease. Furthermore, it is available in several hospitals now.”
The Ministry has prepared 1,200 reagents for the purpose of monkeypox testing. Such tests are only performed when there is a suspicion of monkeypox. “PCR testing for monkeypox is different from PCR testing for Covid-19. Monkeypox PCR testing is performed using the swab taken of the patient’s rashes. Also, it is not necessary to isolate monkeypox patients in negative-pressure chambers, as you would with Covid-19 patients,” dr. Syahril said.
Read: Monkeypox confirmed in Indonesia, Health Ministry: no need to panic!
Existing therapies so far only reduce the severity of the symptoms, manage complications, and prevent the occurrence of long-term remnant symptoms. “In order to improve immunity, everyone should eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. If the patient does not have any co-morbidity, i.e. no other complicating diseases and infections, Insya Allah, if Allah wills it, they will recover by themselves within two to four weeks,” dr. Syahril said. “Monkeypox symptoms are similar to that of chickenpox, but lighter. The initial symptoms include fevers, headaches, muscular aches, and exhaustion. The primary difference is that monkeypox causes the lymph nodes to swell (lymphadenopathy), while chickenpox does not.” (est)