Monkeypox Philippines: DOH Speaks on Close Contacts of Patient

Details about Monkeypox Philippines First Case, Close Contacts

MONKEYPOX PHILIPPINES – The Department of Health (DOH) spoke about the close contacts of the first patient of monkeypox in the country.

A few days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global health emergency. Unlike the COVID-19 pandemic, this disease is already endemic in several other countries prior to it becoming a global health concern. It alarmed the health authorities when cases in countries where it is not endemic are growing.

Recently, the first case of monkeypox was recorded in the Philippines. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the patient is a 31-year-old Filipino who has been in countries where cases of the disease were recorded. The patient has already been discharged and is “undergoing strict isolation”.

According to DOH, the first case of monkeypox in the Philippines has 10 close contacts including three (3) people who are in the same household with the patient. Health Undersecretary Beverly Ho said that the close contacts are all asymptomatic.

Monkeypox Virus – What Are The Signs and Symptoms?

Here are some of the things to know about the monkeypox virus. Check out below!

MONKEYPOX VIRUS – These are the signs and symptoms of the monkeypox virus and other things to know about this virus.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet but several countries are now facing another kind of virus, a sporadic disease. It is called monkeypox, a cousin of smallpox.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two people have traveled from Nigeria to the United States and were diagnosed with this rare disease. Last Wednesday in Massachusetts, a patient with monkeypox was hospitalized.

This kind of virus can be found mainly in West and Central Africa, but cases were already recorded in Europe and the United Kingdom. These cases are associated with international travel or imported animals, that are infected with the virus.

Recently, other countries that have recorded a case include Spain with seven confirmed cases in Madrid, one in Italy, and 17 suspected cases in Montreal.

CDC said that seven to 14 days is the incubation period and typically, the symptoms one who is infected can display are fever, chills, exhaustion, headache, and muscle weakness. These are flu-like symptoms and it also comes with swelling in the lymph nodes.

There will also be rashes on the face and the body. Rashes may also appear inside the mouth, on the palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. There’s no specific treatment available yet. Monkeypox is spread through close contact.

The infection after being exposed may result in “broken skin, mucous membranes, respiratory droplets, infected body fluids or even contact with contaminated linen” as per Neil Mabbott, personal chair in immunopathology at the veterinary school of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

It can also be transmitted through droplets. African rodents are suspected to be playing a great role in spreading this virus but the main carrier remains unknown.

The Philippines has not yet recorded a single case of this virus and amid the threats, authorities are intensifying border screening.