"For example, foreign or domestic travelers entering Indonesia with skin disorders on their hand or face similar to smallpox, chickenpox, or herpes must be reported immediately to the health post in the airport," Djoerban noted in Jakarta, Thursday.
This prevention effort is important since almost all countries have relaxed their rules for traveling, he remarked.
"Nowadays, almost all countries have relaxed the rules for traveling. There is also an easing in regulation to enter and leave Indonesia," he noted.
Hence, this vigilance should be conducted by all parties in charge of transportation facilities, especially airports, since they are the main entry points for passengers from abroad.
With this vigilance, monkeypox transmission from abroad can be prevented, he emphasized.
Djoerban also urged health workers to watch out for all types of symptoms of skin diseases, such as itching or spots, as the patients are likely to experience monkeypox.
This is because over 75 countries have reported cases of monkeypox due to which it is very likely that this case already exists in Indonesia, he pointed out.
"Data shows that more than 75 countries have reported (cases of monkeypox)," he remarked.
Related news: No monkeypox cases so far, but govt must remain vigilant: IDI
Earlier, a suspected monkeypox infection in Central Java Province had not yet been confirmed, the Ministry of Health noted on Wednesday, August 3.
The Health Ministry will conduct further examination in the form of a PCR laboratory test to confirm whether the patient is infected with monkeypox, Health Ministry's spokesperson, Mohammad Syahril, stated. He reported that the patient had 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 stated.
The Ministry of Health is still conducting further investigations to determine the type of disease contracted by the patient, he added.
Related news: Central Java monkeypox case not confirmed yet: ministry
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Translator: Anita Permata D, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
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