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The Philippines reported its first case of monkeypox virus detected in a citizen returning from abroad earlier this month, a health ministry official said Friday.
The 31-year-old man recovered but was isolated at home, while 10 people identified as close contacts, including three of the patient’s family members, were ordered to quarantine.
The person had previously traveled to countries with reported cases of monkeypox, Ho said, but did not provide further details.
Monkeypox: What You Need to Know About the Virus and How to Protect Yourself
About 70 non-monkeypox countries have reported outbreaks of viral disease, with more than 20,300 confirmed cases, and the World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a global health emergency. Did.
A case in the Philippines was confirmed positive on Thursday, Ho said, with no close contacts showing any symptoms.
Transmission can occur through contact with virus-induced skin lesions, bodily fluids, large respiratory droplets, and contaminated bedding.
“Our (public health surveillance) system is in place. But we all need to work together. We also need the public to be vigilant,” Ho said at the briefing.
“Based on what we know about monkeypox, it’s clear that we need to be more careful with who we come into contact with, especially with intimate sexual contact.”
BIDEN administrators may declare monkeypox a public health emergency: report
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare requires monkeypox patients to quarantine for 14 to 21 days.
A presidential spokesman said monkeypox is generally not fatal, but the rapid spread of the virus was a concern.
“[President Ferdinand Marcos]’s main concern is to disseminate information in a way that people can be aware of,” said Trixie Cruz Angeles.