UM Surabaya Lecturer: Outbreaks of Monkey Pox (Monkey Pox) More Vulnerable to Children

• 11 Aug
• 2022

Ilustrasi gambar cacar monyet (istimewa)

UM Surabaya Lecturer: Outbreaks of Monkey Pox (Monkey Pox) More Vulnerable to Children

• Article
• By Uswah Sahal
• Health
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Monkeypox or Monkeypox is a disease originating from a virus that is transmitted through animals (zoonosis). Monkeypox virus is a member of the genus Orthopoxvirus in the Poxviridae. The disease was first discovered in 1958 in Denmark when two smallpox-like cases appeared in a colony of monkeys kept for research, hence the name 'monkeypox'.

WHO noted that monkeypox has spread to nearly 76 countries affected by the outbreak. In previously affected countries, most of which are in West Africa, of various backgrounds and ages. Meanwhile, ASEAN countries reported incidents of monkeypox, namely Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

Gina Noor Djalilah, a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine (FK) at the Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya (UM Surabaya) explained that monkeypox is a zoonotic category or a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans and vice versa. Currently, there is a tendency for human-to-human transmission to occur.

The monkeypox virus can be transmitted to humans when there is direct contact with infected animals (bites or scratches), monkeypox confirmed patients, or materials contaminated with the virus (including the processing of wild animal meat).

“The entry of the virus is through broken skin, respiratory tract, or mucous membranes (eyes, nose or mouth). While transmission between humans is through contact with respiratory secretions, skin lesions from infected/contaminated people or objects," explained Gina Thursday (11/8/22)

According to Gina, a lecturer who is also a child monkey pox specialist is more susceptible to it occurring in children, especially babies. Thus, parents need to increase awareness of the health and environment of their children.

"Fat cases of monkeypox that occurred in children, according to WHO records, mostly occurred in groups of children aged 9-15 years, in fact, had an impact on the death of children in Africa," he added.

Gina explained that the symptoms experienced were general fever which was accompanied by a reddish rash with red nodules on the skin, the red nodules would enlarge filled with fluid and the liquid could also turn into pus. The fluid in the red nodule has the potential to infect other people.

Gina further explained, prevention of monkeypox in children can be done by creating a safe environment. Maintain health protocols by wearing masks.

Washing hands in running water and soap before and after handling infected or contaminated items.

Washing hands with running water and soap before and after handling a baby or child to be fed, bathed and daily activities that are close to contact. Implement healthy clean living behavior (PHBS) to prevent all infectious diseases.

"Finally, immediately go to the doctor if you find minimal symptoms of monkeypox, don't wait for it to spread throughout the body. Complete immunization in children to prevent various infectious diseases, "he concluded.