Health Ministry Tightens Screening of Foreigners Entering Indonesia to Prevent Monkeypox

Author: Hayyitita Nastatih
August 20, 2024

Source: newsroom.osfhealthcare.org

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - The Indonesian Health Ministry will tighten health checks for foreigners coming into Indonesia. This is to prevent the monkeypox virus.

Health Ministry Acting Director General of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) Yudhi Pramono said "increased vigilance, especially at the entrance of the country, by making a questionnaire for foreigners who are invited guests of the country. The questionnaire will include the history of the disease, contact activities, and the destination of the trip.”

Although the monkeypox case in Indonesia has decreased since last year, vigilance is still needed. Based on data from the Health Ministry in January-August 2024, there were 14 confirmed cases of Mpox in Indonesia and 74 discarded suspects. Meanwhile, in 2023, there were 73 confirmed cases and 240 discarded suspected cases.

Previously, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global health emergency and cases are increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reaching 2,999 cases.