Bali Tourists Must Complete New Mpox Screening Protocol On Arrival

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The Indonesian Ministry of Health has confirmed that they are stepping up screening protocols across the country, including in Bali, as a result of rising cases of Mpox around the world.

The virus, previously referred to as monkeypox, is highly contagious.

In a press interview held on the 18th of August, the Acting Director General of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health, Yudhi Pramono, confirmed that all foreigners entering the country will be required to fill out a questionnaire upon arrival.

The questionnaire will assess the arrivals’s medical history, recent contacts, and most recent travel destinations.

The Indonesian government is hopeful that this disease prevention meditation can help eliminate the risk of a Mpox outbreak in Indonesia. 

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In his statement, Pramono explained, “By mapping the [arrival passengers] countries of origin, we will have sufficient data. If they are unwell, they are advised not to continue their trip.” He affirmed that Indonesia will remain on high alert for the virus and will take all precautionary steps necessary to keep the public safe. 

Pramono added, “In addition, the incubation period can be up to 34 days [from exposure to symptoms], so we need to maintain vigilance at all entry points to our country.” Cases of Mpox in Indonesia are currently in decline when compared to data from last year, a trend that the Indonesian government wants to see continue. 

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In 2024, so far, only 14 cases of Mpox have been confirmed in Indonesia out of 74 reported suspected cases. This is a substantial decrease from the same period in 2023, where the Ministry of Health confirmed 73 cases, with 240 suspected cases reported. 

On August 14th, the Director-General of the World Health Organization declared current outbreaks of pox a “public health emergency of international concern.”

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a press statement advising countries on how to deal with the outbreak at international, national, and local levels. 

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Dr. Ghebreyesus cleared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations of 2005. A PHEIC is defined as an “extraordinary event, which constitutes a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease, and potentially requires a coordinated international response.”

He wrote, “The emergence of a new clade of pox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighboring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.”

The virus has now been confirmed to have spread outside of the continent of Africa, with cases confirmed in both Sweden and Pakistan.

There is comprehensive information regarding Mpox can be found on the World Health Organisation website. 

The public should look out for early symptoms of having contracted the virus, which can be spread by skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or talking or breathing in close proximity to an infected person. 

The virus can also be spread by coming into contact with objects contaminated by the virus, such as bed linen, clothing, or towels, since the virus enters the body via broken skin, the respiratory tract, nose, mouth, and eyes. 

Indonesia has not introduced any further prevention and mitigation measures at this time, nor have leaders suggested that more could be introduced in the coming days and weeks.

Anyone who is concerned that they may have come into contact with the virus or have started to show symptoms should immediately seek medical attention. 

Most people who contract pox require no or simply supportive treatment for the virus; in many cases, this is simple pain relief medication to deal with flu-like symptoms and body aches.

Antiviral treatments may need to be administered in serious cases, and vaccinations can be issued before or even after exposure to the virus.