Prevent Monkeypox with Healthy Lifestyle

Jakarta, InfoPublik - Monkeypox infection could be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as ensuring personal hygiene after going out of the house.

"Always wash your hands after going from anywhere," said Health Minister Nila F Moeloek at the Indonesian Parliament Building, Jakarta, Tuesday (14/5).

This disease can spread to humans from infected monkeys. The symptoms are similar to those of smallpox that is passed among humans. The disease transmission might take place through direct contact with infected blood and skin. Hence, maintaining body hygiene is very important.

"Transmission between humans rarely happens so the virus is not airborne. In fact, the cases of death are only 10 percent and most of them were experienced by children," she added.

Even though the percentage of transmission is relatively small, the public needs to be aware of contracting this disease because there is currently no available vaccine for the virus.

"We need to take serious precautions if it has been reported in Singapore. We need to be aware that there are still many viral diseases for which no vaccines are available, including monkeypox," she concluded. (Reporter: Tri Antoro, Translator: Erik Limantara)