"Since the Public Health Emergency of International Concern status was announced by WHO in 2022, Indonesia has reported a total of 88 cases of Mpox," he stated at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Sadikin detailed that 73 cases occurred in 2023, while 14 cases were recorded in 2024 and have been confirmed positive.
"Most cases occurred in 2023, with (the figure reaching) 73 cases. In 2024, there were 14 cases that we had confirmed positive from the beginning of the year," Sadikin added.
According to the minister, all cases of Mpox in Indonesia were found mainly in the Java and Riau Islands regions.
"However, after WHO increased the status of Mpox to a pandemic in August 2024, 11 suspected cases were tested, and all were declared negative through PCR tests," he revealed.
Sadikin then drew attention to the full recovery in all Mpox cases in Indonesia.
He also added that all identified cases were declared as clade 2B variants, which had undergone the genome sequencing process with consistent results.
"With the support of proper laboratory facilities, PCR, and genome sequencing, we have tested all cases, and it led to 2B variants," Sadikin remarked.
He said that Mpox has a transmission pattern identical to HIV-AIDS in the form of direct contact with body fluids from sufferers.
The minister explained that medicine for this disease is available from various sources, including the United States and India, along with the provision of vaccines.
Indonesia has imported one thousand doses of the vaccine from Denmark in 2022 and has been given to high-risk individuals, he remarked.
Related news: RI activates early detection system to prevent Mpox importations
Related news: Jokowi urges tightened health, security protocols during IAF: Ministry
Related news: Mpox fatality rate in Indonesia low: Health Minister
Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
