PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - One case of monkey pox or monkeypox in Bandung City has been confirmed by the Health Service (Dinkes). This was also acknowledged by the Regional Secretary of Bandung City, Ema Sumarna.

"We ask the Health Department as the leading sector to focus on that. It is said that I have seen information that the potential is from contact. Unlike Covid-19 from the air alone, droplets are already dangerous," he said.

Head of the Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) Division of the Bandung City Health Office, dr. Ira Dewi Jani explained that the monkeypox case in Bandung City had been confirmed positive based on the results from the Prof. Infectious Disease Hospital lab. Dr. Sulianti Saroso.

"The chronology is, on October 23 2023, the patient went to the community health center because lesions had appeared on his body, so he was suspected of monkeypox. Then on October 24 he was referred to RSHS. We got the lab results on October 27. The definite diagnosis came from the results of the laboratory examination at the Disease Hospital Prof. Dr. Sulianti Saroso's infection," he said.

The patient is a native of Bandung City, male and 36 years old. Ira said that for the next 21 days, the Health Office will continue to monitor family members who share the same house as the patient. While trying to find other close contacts.

"If we have close contact, only with people in the same household because the patient is already in the RSHS isolation room, we can't ask further. So we don't know where the transmission came from. We also don't know whether there are people who have signs or symptoms similar to what he experienced," " he said.

From the monitoring results until Monday, October 30 2023, the patient's condition is still clinically stable. However, he cannot be sent home because there are still a series of tests and examinations to confirm his condition.

"Initially there was fever, aches and back pain. Then lesions appeared on his hands and feet. That's what made him go to the community health center for treatment. Then the community health center suspected that it was monkeypox," he said.

Ira said that monkeypox is actually similar to chicken pox. You can be declared cured if you are no longer contagious. It's like the scab has fallen off and only a scar remains. Transmission is also through skin to skin.

"The difference is that chickenpox is filled with water. Meanwhile, monkeypox is filled with pus. If you don't have any really annoying complaints, you can recover in 2 weeks. However, if your immune system is low, it can take longer," he said.

He appealed to people who have close contact with monkeypox patients to avoid direct contact. Patients can also prevent transmission by wearing long clothes, as long as they don't rub against the skin to avoid secondary infections.

"Because if you touch the lesion, the transmission can spread more quickly. If the scab flies off and sticks to someone's skin, it can also spread, but actually it has to be in large quantities," he said.

According to Ira, monkeypox can not only be transmitted through sexual intercourse. As long as someone touches skin with a monkeypox patient, such as shaking hands, the potential for transmission can also occur.

Even if a person has had chicken pox, it does not mean he is immune to monkey pox or monkeypox.

"When it comes to the type of virus, this is orthopox. For example, if someone has had chickenpox, they can still contract monkeypox," he said.

Therefore, in order to break the chain of transmission, Ira appealed to people to keep their distance, adopt a clean and healthy lifestyle (PHBS), and wash their hands frequently.

"If you have to treat people with monkeypox, you can use handscoon, don't come into direct skin-to-skin contact. After that, wash your hands straight away," he said.

"Increase your body's resistance so you don't get sick easily. Don't use things together, don't sleep or eat together," he added.

Even though they have to be alert, the public is advised to remain calm regarding the positive cases of monkeypox in the city of Bandung. The first step that can be taken is for the public to recognize the signs and suspicions of monkeypox early.

"If you have a fever, especially if there is an enlarged lymph node or a small amount. You can look for it behind the ear, under the lower jaw, collarbone (in the chest), and in the groin. Even if the lump is only the size of a peanut, you should still be wary of it," he said.

Then, if a lesion appears that has pus in it, and in the middle there is a point that looks like a donut. So, immediately go to the nearest health facility.

"Continue to follow developments regarding monkeypox on the Ministry of Health's official channel. Don't fall for hoaxes. There will be stigma and discrimination. The fear is that patients won't want to check their health at health facilities," he added. (rdp*)