Indonesia is making efforts to curb the resurgence of mpox, formerly referred to as monkeypox, which seems to be re-emerging.
In light of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) announcement on August 14, 2024, designating Monkeypox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the Indonesian Ministry of Health has initiated actions to curb the transmission of mpox throughout the nation.
Effective immediately, all individuals traveling to Indonesia must complete the SATUSEHAT Health Pass (SSHP) prior to their arrival.
The SSHP form consists of various questions aimed at evaluating the potential risk of exposure to Monkeypox. It is required to be filled out on the day of departure from the airport and must be presented to airport personnel upon arrival in Indonesia during the immigration procedure.
Should travelers experience any difficulties while filling out the SSHP electronic self-declaration form, they are advised to seek help from the Health Quarantine Center located at the arrival airport.
Mpox was initially recognized as a separate disease in 1958 in laboratory monkeys located in Denmark. The earliest confirmed human cases emerged in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as well as in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The virus has historically been endemic to central Africa, particularly within the DRC.
Following its emergence in late 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency and rebranded the disease as mpox to eliminate “racist and stigmatizing language.”
The World Health Organization (WHO), urged for “a coordinated international response” to halt the disease’s spread and protect lives globally. This appeal came in the wake of a viral outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has extended to adjacent nations earlier this month.
