Jakarta. The Health Ministry has confirmed that the Clade I variant of monkeypox (Mpox), known to be more contagious and deadly, has not been detected in Jakarta or anywhere else in Indonesia. This variant is reported to have a mortality rate between 1.4 percent and 10 percent.

“As of now, the Mpox Clade I variant has not been found in Indonesia,” said Ngabila Salama, the Ministry's Technical Staff for Health Transformation, in an interview with the Jakarta Globe on Friday.

Ngabila noted that all cases currently identified in Indonesia are of the Clade II variant, which has a lower mortality rate of 0.1 percent to 3.6 percent. Given this, she emphasized that mass vaccination for the general public is not yet necessary.

She further explained that vaccinations would be provided only to individuals with close contact with confirmed positive cases (ideally within four days of contact), high-risk populations, and laboratory healthcare workers.

“These groups are designated by the government for vaccination. Each individual will receive two doses, spaced four weeks apart. Booster doses are not yet recommended,” she added.

Meanwhile, Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, disclosed that five suspected cases of the monkeypox virus have been identified across different regions in Indonesia.

Nadia reported that the five suspected cases are located in Bandung (West Java), Jakarta, South Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, and the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

“There are five suspects currently awaiting lab results,” Nadia said on Tuesday.

She noted that these suspected cases are being treated at home due to the mild nature of their symptoms.

“They are being treated at home because the symptoms are mild,” Nadia added.

Nadia urged the public to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms of monkeypox.

“If you experience symptoms, visit a hospital promptly to receive appropriate treatment,” she advised.

According to data from the Health Ministry, since the first case of Mpox was reported in Indonesia on August 20, 2022, the country has confirmed 88 cases of Mpox as of August 2024.