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NEWS // THE LASALLIAN RHEIMS
Philippines Detects First Monkeypox Case ETHAN NIVERA
The
Department of Health (DOH) reported the Philippines’ first Monkeypox case on Friday, July 29. The patient, who tested positive on July 28, is a 31-year old Filipino who arrived from overseas on July 19. DOH has not disclosed any other information on the person’s profile. “The case was tested and confirmed positive for monkeypox via Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, or RT PCR, done at the DOH Research Institute for Tropical Medicine on July 28,” Health Undersecretary Dr. Beverly Ho said. According to Ho, the infected person has been “discharged well” and is undergoing strict isolation at home. Ten close contacts were identified, including three from the patient’s household. Thankfully, the ten are being closely monitored and have not exhibited any symptoms as of now. “The DOH assures everyone that our public health surveillance systems are able to detect and confirm Monkeypox cases,” Ho added. Dr. Beverly Ho also explained the virus, how it spreads, and how to prevent it. “Monkeypox is caused by a different organism, it’s different from COVID-19. Investigation of recent Monkeypox cases in other non-en-
demic countries indicate potential transmission through sexual contact. It spreads mostly by intimate, sexual contact with those who have rashes or open lesions,” Ho said. Dr. Ho also clarified that Monkeypox does not spread mostly through air, unlike COVID-19. She also mentioned that even though Monkeypox rapidly spreads through contact, everyone can do something to prevent it. “While it is now a public health emergency of international concern, everyone can actually help prevent the spread of Monkeypox. We minimize close, sexual contact with suspected cases, especially those with rashes or open wounds,” Ho said. “Keep our hands clean, wear face masks, cover cough(s) using our elbows, and continue to choose areas with good ventilation or airflow.” “The DOH also wishes to emphasize that while anyone may get it, but if you have travel history to countries with Monkeypox and then have symptoms like fever, lymphadenopathy or kulani, and rashes, that’s the time that you need to seek medical attention. This will help hasten recovery.” Ho stated the government is securing vaccines in order to protect people from catching the virus. However, she claimed that not everyone needs to be immunized against it. [R]
PHOTO SOURCE | Rappler
