Aisyah Amira Wakang, Jakarta – The authority recorded seven mpox or monkeypox cases in Jakarta from August 2022 to October 2023. To prevent further infections, the Health Ministry planned to distribute 1,000 doses of vaccines to 500 people classified as high-risk.
"Because the number [of vaccines] is limited, it will only be for 500 people. So the distribution is for high-risk groups," Ngabila Salama, head of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and Immunization Unit at the Jakarta Health Agency, said on Sunday, Oct. 22.
She explained that the groups include men who have sex with men, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children, and the elderly. The vaccine was scheduled to be administered in the capital city starting Monday, Oct. 23.
Meanwhile, the government continues to disseminate and educate people about the infectious disease. To prevent such virus transmission, it is highly advisable to practice a clean and healthy lifestyle, avoid skin and wound contact, and have safe, healthy, and clean sexual interactions. It is also recommended to abstain from sexual activities while having symptoms or being sick.
"The symptoms are fever as it is a viral infection. The most typical symptom is enlarged lymph nodes. So it is a lump in the folds of the neck, under the chin, or in the groin or crease of the thigh," Ngabila said, adding that mpox infection is similar to regular smallpox.
People who have been in close physical contact or sexual contact with monkeypox patients can monitor their symptoms daily at the sub-district health center. Officials will check their health every day for up to 21 days after their last contact.
Self-isolation and laboratory examination will be done immediately if symptoms of smallpox are confirmed.