As the World Health Organisation has declared recent outbreaks of Mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, leaders in Indonesia have been working to introduce screening measures to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Earlier this week, the Acting Director General of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health, Yudhi Pramono, confirmed that all arrivals into Indonesia will be required to fill out a health screening form in order for health officials to best keep track of tourists movements.
The questionnaire includes questions on the tourist’s medical history, recent contacts, and most recent travel destinations.
Indonesia is currently seeing a decline in the number of reported Mpox cases compared to last year, a trend that, naturally, they want to see continue.
In a written statement, Pramono stated, “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.”
It has now been confirmed that Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport will begin thermal screening protocols for all international arrivals in order to increase the level of biosecurity at the terminals.
The General Manager of Bali Airport, Handy Heryudhitiawan, told reporters, “There are no particular foreigners who are targeted specifically and are the focus of anticipating Mpox transmission at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport.”
Three thermal imaging cameras have been stationed strategically throughout the arrivals areas of Bali Airport, and airport management will be coordinating directly with the Denpasar Health Quarantine Center (BBKK).
Heryudhitiawan told reporters, “The placement of three thermal scanner units in the international arrivals area by the Denpasar Health Quarantine Center is to monitor all international passengers arriving at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport.”
Heryudhitiawan outlined to the media the process that would take place should a passenger arrive in Bali with suspected Mpox symptoms.
He explained, “Passengers who are indicated to have Mpox will be isolated first in the BBKK clinic room at the international terminal before being further examined at the referral hospital.”
At present, Bali Airport is seeing over 14,400 international arrival passengers every day. Heryudhitiawan added, “In general, Agust during a period with low passenger service or the low season, passenger service at the airport will tend to increase in the high season, namely the year-end period leading up to Christmas and New Year.”
Health officials around Bali are also increasing Mpox mitigation efforts to prevent the spread of the virus within the wider population.
The Denpasar City Government has set up specialist teams at health centers and hospitals to be ready to treat any cases that appear in Bali.
The Secretary of the Denpasar City Health Service, Dr Anak Agung Ngurah Gede Dharmayuda, explained to reporters, “There have been no reports of Mpox in Denpasar.”
He added, “The initial symptoms are like smallpox, have a fever, then watery bumps appear, then break and start to scab all over the body. Similar to other cases of smallpox, but it must be proven by laboratory tests.”
Dr Dharmayuda continued, “It needs to be treated until all the scales fall off because the transmission rate is quite high and requires isolation. In Denpasar, until now, I have never received a report of a Mpox case.”
He added that, nevertheless, the public should continue with routine hygiene practices. Dr Dharmayuda concluded, “Make prevention efforts with clean and healthy living habits. Starting from washing your hands thoroughly, using soap.”
In 2024, Indonesia has confirmed just 14 cases of Mpox nationally, which is a notable decrease from the January to August period of 2023, where 73 confirmed cases were recorded. Full information regarding Mpox can be found on the World Health Organisation website.
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J West
Monday 26th of August 2024
If only those airport fever screeners would detect a fever we would have saved millions from Covid. They are at best a placebo. In Bangkok we have entire sections of the city that are populated by dodgy people from Europe and the dark continent, here to wrestle naked with a jungle girl….or close boyish facsimile . Obviously there’s more Monkey Pox circulating than the one case reported. Keep it in your pants, best vaccine ever.
WAYAN BO
Friday 23rd of August 2024
It’s seems to be much smarter decision than in many another parts of the world where such screening isn’t taking place yet, for example in Europe where flights from Africa are much more frequent than to Indonesia.
Exp
Friday 23rd of August 2024
“Make prevention efforts with clean and healthy living habits. Starting from washing your hands thoroughly, using soap.”
What a joke. Why not mention the high risk activities that is one of the main causes for mpox spread and why mpox is in reality mostly a STD? Oh I see that is taboo to mention.
LINK
Shorty
Tuesday 27th of August 2024
@J West,
What has your rant got to do with screening for monkey pox?
J West
Monday 26th of August 2024
@Randy, Your optimism is at least hopeful. The Russians and most DG twatpackers crap all over the reputation for enlightenment offerings and spiritualism Bali might have once had as a destination. The reality is that Mother Bali has become a drunken tourist slugfest of the worst kind. Aside from Canggu morphing into a Slavic Puke Bucket …the cap for me is the invasion of Chinese unlicensed luxury ‘must have’ knock-offs. Once the twatpackers go ‘designer’ you know it’s really over. The Gods have left the building.
Randy
Sunday 25th of August 2024
@Shorty, exactly...
Shorty
Saturday 24th of August 2024
@Exp,
Sexual activity is not the only method of transmission or cause of infection.
RI are to be commended for initiating screening. Not castigated in a sarcastic post.
Randy
Saturday 24th of August 2024
@Exp, what taboo smart aleck??? Condoms are also sold at stores all over Indonesia. You call that taboo. Mpox can be transmitted sexually and non sexually.
You are beginning to shine as a person with a negative view of the world. Bali is for people who want to discover themselves through spiritualism. Therefore leaving the past behind and see things through a positive attitude. Bali is NOT for people who are here to complain, and post grievances because they cannot do no wrong.