The promotion of a clean and healthy lifestyle should be strengthened in order to prevent the spread of the monkeypox virus, according to virologist from Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed), Dr Daniel Joko Wahyono, M. Biomed.
"Despite no case of monkeypox so far in Indonesia, dissemination must be conducted as a form of alertness against the monkeypox virus," the doctor stated here on Thursday.
Wahyono pointed out that monkeypox is a disease that is similar to smallpox.
"This monkeypox disease is a new viral disease or emerging viral disease that has the ability to transmit or infect new hosts, specifically from monkeys to humans. The transmission to humans first occurred in 1970," he explained.
Wahyono remarked that in addition to infecting humans, the monkeypox virus could infect animals, such as dogs.
"This monkeypox disease can also emerge in new areas, such as regions that are not endemic to the original habitat of monkeys in Africa, such as the outbreak of monkeypox disease cases that occurred in the US in 2003, which was characterized by general clinical symptoms in sufferers in the form of skin rashes and fever," he expounded.
He noted that transmission of the monkeypox virus was due to interactions with sick monkeys.
Related news: C Kalimantan takes precautionary measures against spread of monkeypox
Meanwhile, transmission among humans can occur via close contact with monkeypox patients through fluids from the respiratory tract, exposure to the monkeypox wounds, or touching objects contaminated with the virus, he explained.
Earlier, the Ministry of Health had stepped up vigil over the risk of potential transmission of monkeypox by domestic and foreign travelers in the country.
"Indonesia's efforts include preparing circulars to increase vigilance, both in the regions and port health offices, for health offices, hospitals, and so on," the ministry's spokesperson, Mohammad Syahril, stated.
Syahril cautioned that despite zero cases of monkeypox in Indonesia, the public is urged to remain aware of its transmission.
Related news: Health Ministry raises vigil over potential monkeypox transmission
Editor : Mahdani
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Kalimantan Selatan 2022