TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Seven monkeypox or mpox patients in Jakarta have been recovered on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, bringing the total number of recoveries to 16. Previously, the Jakarta Health Agency reported that eight patients had recovered, and the other one was cured in August 2022.

“A total of 16 patients have recovered,” Ngabila Salama, the Head of Jakarta Health Agency’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Immunization Unit said on Tuesday, November 14.

She added that all recovered patients were also isolated in the hospital, while 17 patients were still under isolation.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 14, Jakarta has recorded 34 positive infections of mpox. All patients were males between the ages of 25 and 50 years. They experienced mild symptoms and were infected through sexual contact.

Ngabila said the patients require two to four weeks of treatment before they are declared cured. “The average is three weeks,” she said.

According to her, there are still three people suspected of showing symptoms of mpox today. The Health Agency has distributed mpox vaccines to 495 people so far, meeting the city's goal.

“[We] need to strengthen the education approach that mpox is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and link it with HIV programs,” Ngabila said, adding that all mpox patients need to be tested for HIV and STIs.

People who have had close contact with monkeypox patients within the past month are suggested to take a PCR test as soon as possible. “Especially if you have symptoms, you need to get a mpox PCR swab right away,” she stressed.

NOVALI PANJI NUGROHO

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