In the international arrivals terminal at Ngurah Rai Airport, three blocks of thermal scanners have been installed to prevent the spread of the monkeypox outbreak in Indonesia. Elevated temperature is one of the symptoms of this disease.
Additionally, all travelers arriving in Indonesia will be required to fill out a health screening form to help healthcare authorities better track tourist movements. The questionnaire includes questions about health status, recent contacts, and travel history.
Handy Heryudhitiawan, the General Manager of Bali's airport, stated that they have resumed active collaboration with the Denpasar Health Quarantine Center (BBKK).
"Passengers who show symptoms of monkeypox will first be isolated in the BBKK international terminal clinic and then examined at a specialized hospital," he said.
Anak Agung Ngurah Kusumajaya, the head of the Denpasar Health Quarantine Center, also requested that airlines and airport staff report any passengers or crew members exhibiting symptoms of the disease to his team.
"Bali province is one of the world's top tourist destinations, so there is a risk of monkeypox transmission here," he said.
However, Heryudhitiawan, the airport's General Manager, also mentioned that as of August 21, 2014, no signs of infection had been detected among passengers arriving in Bali.
Previously, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency.
"A coordinated international response is needed to stop this outbreak and save lives," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO's Director-General.
He noted that this monkeypox outbreak is different from the one that occurred recently in 2022. Experts now believe the world is dealing with a more dangerous strain.
"Cases of monkeypox have been identified in 13 African countries, and the new form of the disease continues to spread," the WHO statement said.
Regarding cases of monkeypox in Indonesia, over the past three years (2022, 2023, and 2024), only 88 cases have been confirmed in the country. "The last case of monkeypox was reported in June 2024. Prior to that, infections were identified in Jakarta, Banten, West Java, East Java, the Riau Islands, and Yogyakarta," said Yudhi Pramono, the Acting Director General of Disease Prevention and Control at Indonesia's Ministry of Health.
The highest number of confirmed cases was recorded in Jakarta, with 59 infections. This is followed by West Java with 13 cases and Banten with 9 cases. Yogyakarta and East Java each reported 3 confirmed cases, while the Riau Islands reported one confirmed case of monkeypox.
Yudhi Pramono clarified that out of the total infected, 87 have recovered. The last patient, who was diagnosed with monkeypox in June, is still in the process of recovery.
Interestingly, despite the WHO-declared epidemic, Indonesia's Ministry of Health data shows that monkeypox cases in the country are actually decreasing. While 73 cases were confirmed in 2023, so far in 2024, there have only been 14.
Nonetheless, Yudhi Pramono stated that Indonesia will increase its vigilance and preparedness to combat the threat of monkeypox transmission.
In Denpasar, groups of specialists have already been established in medical centers and hospitals, ready to treat any cases of monkeypox that might occur in Bali.
The Secretary of Denpasar's Health Service, Dr. Anak Agung Ngurah Gede Dharmayuda, explained: "The initial symptoms are similar to smallpox: fever followed by the appearance of watery bumps, which later burst and start to crust over the body [...] This disease needs to be treated until all the scales fall off because the rate of infection transmission is quite high and requires isolation. So far, I have not received any reports of monkeypox cases in Denpasar."
He also urged the public to follow standard hygiene practices, such as washing hands with soap and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Monkeypox is a rare infectious disease most commonly found in remote areas of Central and West Africa. Its symptoms include nausea, fever, rash, itching, and muscle pain. In mild cases, the disease usually resolves on its own and lasts between 14 to 21 days.
More detailed information about Mpox (monkeypox) can be found on the World Health Organization's website.
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