A woman attends a virtual press conference of the Indonesian Ministry of Health in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aug. 20, 2022. (Photo by Agung Kuncahya B./Xinhua) Indonesia confirms the country’s first case of monkeypox. A 27-year-old male patient returned to Jakarta on August 8, and tests performed on August 18 confirmed his monkeypox infection. JAKARTA, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) — Indonesia reported its first case of monkeypox, an international traveler returning home from a country with confirmed cases, the health ministry said Saturday. Health Ministry spokesman Mohammad Syahril said the patient, a 27-year-old man, returned home to Jakarta on August 8 and started feeling feverish six days later with smallpox rashes on his body, including his face, palms and feet on August 8. 16. “The tests he took on August 18 concluded that he was infected with monkey pox,” Syahril told a mock press conference. The patient has mild symptoms and is currently in home isolation under the supervision of the Jakarta Health Service.
Photo taken on Aug. 20, 2022, shows a woman from Jakarta seeking information about monkeypox. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.) The medical team traces the patient’s close contacts. Indonesia is raising monkeypox awareness by adding 10 PCR labs at the country’s airport and port entrances. According to the ministry, about 10,000 monkeypox vaccines are in the process of being procured, which will be given to those with symptoms. The World Health Organization on July 23 declared the escalating global epidemic of monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern. ■
