MPOX has recently become one of the most discussed public health issues. In the past few months, attention has particularly focused on the resurgence of MPOX cases in Indonesia. The spread of this disease has raised significant concerns, especially because it poses a higher risk to vulnerable populations. Consequently, it is more important than ever for the public to be well-informed about prevention strategies and proper responses.

In such situations, reliable information is essential to prevent the spread of misinformation. Dr. Eggi Arguni, M.Sc., Ph.D., Sp.A(K), recently participated in a TropmedAsk session, a platform that provides accurate health information. Answering public inquiries is a critical step in raising community health awareness, particularly since diseases like MPOX can be effectively managed through such awareness efforts. Questions gathered from social media aimed to address common curiosities with clear, credible answers from a knowledgeable source.

One prominent question addressed the availability of the MPOX vaccine. Dr. Eggi confirmed that the vaccine is now accessible to the general public. It has been approved by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and Indonesia’s National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), making it a key tool in MPOX prevention.

Another question involved how MPOX spreads. A Twitter user raised concerns about whether mosquitoes, particularly those infected with Wolbachia, could transmit the virus. Dr. Eggi clarified that MPOX is not spread through mosquitoes, including Wolbachia-infected ones.

This session is part of a broader initiative by the Center for Tropical Medicine at UGM to engage the public and enhance awareness about the spread of diseases like MPOX. The TropmedAsk program serves as an important platform for delivering accurate information, which is especially critical in today’s environment of widespread misinformation.

Please check out the full version of TropmedAsk ‘MPOX’ here.