Suspected Monkeypox Emerges in Pontianak

TheIndonesia.id - Soedarso Regional General Hospital (RSUD) Pontianak, West Kalimantan, is currently treating one patient suspected of contracting monkeypox (monkeypox) since June 14, 2022. Head of the West Kalimantan Provincial Health Office, Hary Agung TJ in Pontianak, Friday, said the patient was from Singkawang City.

He explained that symptomatically, the patient was still experiencing smallpox as usual so further examinations were carried out, both physically and in the laboratory to determine whether it was true that he had monkeypox or ordinary smallpox. "The characteristics of monkeypox are somewhat more severe than usual smallpox, because the lumps contain more water than ordinary smallpox, with symptoms of fever, weakness, chills, and so on, but not fatal," he said.

Transmission of monkeypox can be from rodents such as mice or squirrels and including from monkeys themselves, which are caused by bites or scratches from these animals. "For transmission, it can be through saliva splashes, and others, so if there is this case, then the patient must be immediately isolated," he said.

However, according to him, complications from monkeypox rarely occur so the symptoms are mild, but for treatment, isolation must be carried out so that it does not spread to other people. "This disease can indeed be prevented by complete basic immunization and implementing a clean lifestyle to avoid germs and viruses."

The Health Office is conducting laboratory tests on the patient. "The results can take two weeks to determine whether the patient does have monkeypox or ordinary smallpox," he said.

He added, that this disease will heal by itself, which is about four weeks. "And this patient is the first in West Kalimantan," he said.