Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued an appeal to citizens in Indonesia over the confirmation of an imported case of monkeypox infection by Singaporean authorities, May 9, 2019.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement, appealing to Indonesians to remain on alert, was circulated through social media accounts and the Safe Travel website on Monday (May 13) to ensure that Indonesian citizens residing in Singapore will remain calm and stay abreast of the developments via local media and the Singapore Ministry of Health's website (https://www.moh.gov.sg ).

The first monkeypox case confirmed in Singapore involved a Nigerian tested positive for the rare viral disease thought to have been contracted from the bush meat he had eaten at a wedding reception in Nigeria prior to arriving in Singapore on April 28, 2019. Bush meat is a possible source of transmission of the monkeypox virus.

Indonesians planning or visiting Central and Western African nations are also advised to always lead a hygienic lifestyle, prevent direct skin contact with infected animal carcasses or corpses, and avoid consumption of meat of wild animals, including monkeys, lizards, crocodiles, and snakes.

Any Indonesian becoming symptomatic, with signs of fever, headache, swelling in lymph nodes, and rashes, after travelling to Central and Western African nations should promptly seek advice from a doctor or head to a medical facility for treatment. EDITED BY INE

Reporter: Bambang Purwanto
Editor: Eliswan Azly
Copyright © ANTARA 2019