Philippines reports first monkeypox case, traces 10 close contacts

MANILA: The Philippines has reported its initial case of the monkeypox virus, detected in the citizen who came back from abroad earlier this month, the health ministry formal said on Fri (Jul 29).

The 31-year-old had recovered but was isolated at home, whilst 10 people recognized as close contacts including three from the person’s household had been purchased to quarantine, said Department of Health Undersecretary Beverly Ho.

The person experienced previously travelled to countries with noted monkeypox cases, stated Ho, without elaborating.

Around seventy countries where monkeypox is not endemic have got reported outbreaks of the viral disease since confirmed cases entered 20, 300 and the World Health Firm declared the break out a global health crisis.

The Filipino case was confirmed positive on Thurs and the close contacts had not shown any symptoms, Ho said.

Transmission can occur through contact with skin lesions caused by herpes, as well as bodily fluids, big respiratory droplets and contaminated bedding.

“Our (public health surveillance) systems have been in place. But all of us need to work together. We need also the public to be vigilant, ” Ho told a briefing.

“Based about what we know about monkeypox… there is a very clear have to be more careful about who we connect to, particularly sexual, close contact. ”

The health ministry demands people exposed to monkeypox cases to quarantine for 14 in order to 21 days.

The president’s push secretary said while monkeypox was not generally fatal, the speedy spread of the computer virus was of concern.

“(President Ferdinand Marcos’) primary concern would be to get the information out so that people will be aware, ” said Trixie Cruz-Angeles.