"Enhancement of detection capacity is essential to prevent the spread of monkeypox following infection cases reported in various countries," Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Cultural Affairs' Deputy for Health Quality Enhancement and Development Coordination Agus Suprapto stated here, Wednesday.
The coordinating ministry's deputy said intensification of training could enhance the health officers' capabilities to detect monkeypox.
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"This is particularly for officers at all entry points to Indonesia, in primary healthcare facilities, and health workers in the frontline to handle the disease," he noted.
Suprapto also highlighted the pressing need to disseminate information on monkeypox prevention measures, considering that the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
"Since the monkeypox disease has been declared an international concern, dissemination and education on the disease to residents must be intensified. Therefore, residents have sufficient knowledge about the monkeypox disease, the infection method, and prevention and handling measures," the ministry's official explained.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Epidemiologists Association's (PAEI's) Professional Development Department Head Masdalina Pane earlier called on residents to play an active role to prevent monkeypox infection.
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"Residents must have an understanding of this disease, so they can play an active role in the collective efforts to prevent the disease," Pane stated.
Pane, who concurrently serves as the National Research and Innovation Agency's Health Research Centre researcher, noted that the monkeypox disease was caused by the Orthopoxvirus infection.
"(The disease has) an incubation period of five to 21 days, with varied symptoms among sufferers, yet it is similar to other infectious diseases. Common symptoms are fever, headache, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, and the appearance of rash on the skin," the researcher stated.
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Translator: Wuryanti P, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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