Bali introduces major change for 'all' Aussie tourists
The new change for travellers comes as Indonesia attempts to curb cases of the rapidly spreading disease, Mpox.
Aussies travelling to popular holiday island Bali will need to complete a new health declaration form as Indonesia attempts to curb cases of the rapidly spreading disease Mpox.
All tourists travelling from abroad into the country — the world's largest archipelago state — will be required to fill out the electronic self-declaration form called SATUSEHAT Health Pass (SSHP) in order to gain entry into the popular tourist destination.
“All passengers and aircraft personnel travelling from abroad are required to fill in this health pass,” the website states. “By declaring your health condition and travel history, you contribute to safer travel in Indonesia.”
The announcement was made earlier this week by Director General of Air Transportation Maria Kristi Endah Murni. The form must be completed online before checking in for your flight.
After completing the form, it's understood visitors will be given a barcode which Indonesian authorities will scan on arrival. Anyone who has Mpox symptoms may be referred to a hospital for treatment on arrival.
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“Completing this electronic form is part of our early warning system for detecting Mpox,” a spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Health, said.
So what is Mpox?
Earlier this month, the World Health Organisation declared a Health Emergency of International Concern following the rapid spread of the illness.
Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It comes from the same family as smallpox. Symptoms include fever and a rash, which tend to affect the anal and genital areas, chest and back, face and head, and hands and feet.
In Australia, 306 cases have been recorded so far in 2024 – 198 of those since the beginning of July. By comparison, there were 144 cases for all of 2022, and 26 in 2023.
The mpox cases in Australia are a different type to those spreading in Africa which prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a public health emergency of international concern last week. Fortunately, people infected in Australia have a milder strain of the virus.
“Mpox spreads through close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, and often starts with small pimple-like skin lesions particularly in areas that are hard to see such as the genitals, anus or buttock,” NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty previously said.
“Some people experience mild fever, headache, fatigue, or swollen lymph nodes and mouth ulcers or rectal pain. Mpox can spread to others until the lesions resolve.”
If a traveller becomes ill within 21 days after traveling abroad, or came from endemic and affected countries or area, they should immediately seek treatment from the nearest health facility and present this health pass.
Read more about the new form here.
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