Monkeypox Cases Rise to 27; Spread Across Jakarta, Banten, West Java

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Disease Prevention and Control DG at the Health Ministry Mexi Rein Rondonuwu stated that so far, monkeypox or mpox is contained in Jakarta, West Java, and Banten.

"Until today, there are three additional cases in Jakarta. The rest are located in West Java and Banten," he said as quoted by Antara on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

These new cases bring the confirmed cases in Indonesia to 27 cases. As of October 29, there are 24 cases in Jakarta, with nine cases in South Jakarta, five cases in West Jakarta, three cases in East Jakarta, and one case in North Jakarta.

Meanwhile, in Banten, there are two cases in Tangerang Regency, two cases in South Tangerang, and one case in Tangerang City. There is also one case in West Java in Bandung City.

All confirmed cases of monkeypox in Indonesia are male with an age range of 25 to 48 years old. The patients generally have a pre-existing condition of HIV/AIDS. 

According to Maxi, the ministry is still trying to trace more cases and has found 21 suspects. "The tracing is getting better. For now, 21 case suspects are awaiting the laboratory results," he said. The ministry also has discarded 41 suspects as uninfected by monkeypox.

To control this disease, Maxi added, the ministry is conducting surveillance and vaccination against the key populations, which amounted to 477 people since October 23, 2023. The ministry also cooperates with various parties to open communication with the public to minimize the risk of a wider spread of monkeypox infection.

Maxi also stressed the importance of safe sex and a clean and healthy lifestyle. 

KUKUH S. WIBOWO

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