Health Minister Urges Public to Observe Health Protocols to Prevent Monkeypox Transmission

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin attends Cabinet Meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (08/23). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Agung)

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin has urged the public to observe health protocols to prevent transmission of monkeypox.

Unlike COVID-19, the monkeypox spreads through physical contact with patients, not through droplets.

“In terms of health protocols, the identification, and measures to prevent the transmission, it should be easier,” Budi said in a press conference at the Presidential Office in Jakarta, Tuesday (08/23).

The Minister also said that monkeypox transmission may occur if the patient has symptoms.

“There are now 39,000 cases of monkeypox in the world, of which 12 (people) died, so it’s around 0.03 percent, which is still relatively low,” he said.

Ministry of Health has prepared medicine and secured vaccine supply for treatment and prevention of monkeypox disease.

“We have bought the vaccine, now it is on the way coming. We have also received the medicine, namely the antivirals,” he remarked.

For the record, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered Minister of Health to secure monkeypox vaccine supply.

The President has also ordered relevant officials to tighten border checks at Indonesia’s entry points.

Previously, Ministry of Health on August 20 confirmed the first case of monkeypox in Indonesia. The 27-year-old patient from Jakarta had previously traveled abroad. (FID/UN) (RI/MMB)