It could be normal smallpox or other diseases, not monkeypox
Jakarta (ANTARA) - A suspected monkeypox infection in Central Java province has not been confirmed yet, the Ministry of Health informed on Wednesday.

"A PCR laboratory examination will be carried out to confirm whether the patient is infected with monkeypox or not," ministry spokesperson Mohammad Syahril said in Jakarta.

Syahril, who is also the President Director of Sulianti Saroso Hospital in Jakarta, informed that the patient has been identified as a 55-year-old man with no history of foreign travel.

The suspected patient is currently undergoing treatment in an isolation room at a private hospital in Central Java.

"It could be normal smallpox or other diseases, not monkeypox," Syahril said.

The Ministry of Health is still conducting further investigations to determine the type of disease contracted by the patient, he added.

"We are closely monitoring the case development with the Central Java Health Service by officers from the Directorate of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) of the Ministry of Health," Syahril informed.

Meanwhile, an epidemiologist from Griffith University Australia, Dicky Budiman, said that Indonesia has a high potential for monkeypox spread, especially among high-risk populations such as people in same-sex relationships and commercial sex workers.

"The community exists in all countries, and 96 percent of monkeypox cases come from contact with the group. The community also exists in Indonesia," he added.

These vulnerable communities have high interactions with people from various countries, Budiman noted. High-risk sexual behavior opens the opportunity for monkeypox transmission, he added.

"Plus, the incubation period is three weeks, the potential for transmission from travelers is quite large,” he said.

Early symptoms of monkeypox in travelers can be detected based on body temperature, physical appearance, and other symptoms, he added.

Common symptoms of monkeypox include fever, severe headache, muscle aches, backache, weakness, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin, and rashes on the skin.

"Early detection is needed through services at the hospital, clinic, and other health facilities. The government must be prepared for cluster findings by providing vaccines and medicine," he said.

Related news: Children more vulnerable to monkeypox: IDAI
Related news: No monkeypox cases so far, but govt must remain vigilant: IDI
Related news: Support strengthening of public education on monkeypox: govt

Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2022