Increasing preparedness and prevention measures for monkeypox - ISS-G20 Laboratorium Repository

Monkeypox, a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, is endemic in multiple countries in Africa. People with monkeypox are occasionally identified in other countries outside of Central and West Africa, usually following travel from monkeypox-endemic regions.

However, from 13-26 May 2022, a total of 257 laboratory-confirmed cases and around 120 suspected cases from non-endemic countries have been reported to WHO. The unusual situation of a high number of cases reported from non-endemic countries within a short time has raised concern.

Monkeypox is usually a self-limiting disease and typically lasts 2 to 4 weeks. It may be severe in children, pregnant women or persons with immune suppression due to other health conditions. Symptoms of monkeypox typically include a fever, intense headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and a skin rash or lesions. Swelling of the lymph nodes is a distinctive feature of monkeypox compared to other diseases that may initially appear similar, such as chickenpox and measles. The lesions tends to be concentrated on the face, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Anyone who has close physical contact with someone who has symptoms of monkeypox, or with an infected animal, is at risk of infection.  

Responding to the need for awareness on monkeypox, the Ministry of Health has released a circular for monkeypox preparedness and vigilance. WHO has supported MoH to develop a monkeypox guideline – adapting the WHO guideline –, FAQ on monkeypox  and a webinar on monkeypox  on 31 May 2022 for healthcare workers. More than 700 healthcare workers from provincial and district health offices, Point of Entry offices, hospitals and laboratories attended the webinar.

WHO presented the global situation on monkeypox, while Dr Robert Sinto, an internist expert from the Tropical and Infectious Disease Medical Association, discussed monkeypox clinical management. The MoH presented monkeypox surveillance, specimen collection, and laboratory diagnosis procedures as well as risk communication and community engagement.

WHO and MoH emphasized key priorities for monkeypox prevention and preparedness, which include:

• Increasing vigilance of healthcare workers for early detection of cases and isolation of patients, prevent transmission by intensified surveillance, case and cluster investigation, contact tracing. Suspected cases should be reported to district/provincial health officers, which will be shared with the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC) .
• Protecting health care workers and preventing transmission in health care settings by using personal protection equipment and infection prevention and control.
• Implementing effective communication strategies:  convey education information communication (EIC) material to communities; avoid stigmatisation of certain population groups; reduce impact on societies, travel and trade;continue to communicate what we know, what is being done to respond; and continue to update and publish information as data become available.​
• Utilizing risk-based strategies employing countermeasures and public health interventions based on need, risk and benefit including basic public health interventions such as therapeutics, vaccines, testing, diagnostics and sequencing.
• Applying public health measures commensurate to the risk (for instance promoting safe gatherings) and enhancing global collaboration through information sharing.
• Supporting development of global mechanisms to ensure equitable access to countermeasures such as vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics based on public health needs and accelerating the research agenda on monkeypox.
• Strengthening the One Health approach to disease prevention and control through involvement of human, animal and wildlife sectors.
• Improving hygiene to prevent the spread of monkeypox. This includes cleaning hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub, avoiding close contact with people who have suspected or confirmed monkeypox, and using proper personal protective equipment during care for suspected patients.

Although the monkeypox risk to the general public is low, WHO is responding to this outbreak as a high priority to avoid further spread. WHO’s support to the MoH through this webinar and development of guidelines and FAQ will contribute to an increased preparedness and prevention measures against monkeypox in Indonesia.

Entire content available on: https://www.who.int/indonesia/news/detail/05-06-2022-increasing-preparedness-and-prevention-measures-for-monkeypox