Apa itu Penyakit Cacar Monyet?

Monkeypox, a disease that has been around since 1958, was first discovered in monkey colonies used for research. The virus can be transmitted to humans through animals like mice and squirrels, leading to infection in humans. The disease is not new and has been endemic in Congo and West Africa.

Since May 2022, monkeypox transmission has been a growing concern, with 92 countries reporting cases outside Africa and Congo. Indonesia reported one case in August 2022. There have been over 35,000 cases worldwide, with 12 fatalities. The disease is more common in young adult males but can also affect children.

Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, body pain, fatigue, and lymph node enlargement. A rash or spots similar to smallpox but larger in size appear 1-3 days after the fever. The spots eventually break, dry, scab, and fall off over a 3-week period.

Monkeypox is transmitted through close contact with infected individuals, their body fluids, and contaminated surfaces. The disease is generally mild and self-healing within 2-4 weeks but can be severe and fatal (3–6% mortality) in individuals with weakened immune systems. Vaccination, especially with the smallpox vaccine, is effective in preventing monkeypox. Efforts to procure the vaccine in Indonesia are underway.