As the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the first monkeypox case in the Philippines on 29 July, Sen. Bong Go called on authorities to intensify further their awareness, detection, disease surveillance and containment efforts.
In a statement issued on the same day, Go also urged Filipinos to follow minimum health protocols and comply with advice from government and medical experts.
“Apela ko naman sa ating mga kababayan, sundin pa rin natin ang mga minimum health protocols, katulad ng pagsusuot ng mask, especially in enclosed spaces, at social distancing,” said Go.
“Palaging sundin ang mga patakaran ng gobyerno. Para naman po ito sa lahat. Apektado tayo ‘pag bumagsak ang ating healthcare system, babagsak din ang ekonomiya.”
The DOH reported a 31-year-old Filipino citizen, who had been abroad and returned to the country on 19 July, is the first case of monkeypox in the country.
The agency promptly placed the individual under quarantine. The patient is now being strictly monitored and isolated at home.
Malacañang, in a press briefing on 29 July, said that the DOH is in control of the situation despite the detection of monkeypox.
DOH said discussions with the United States are ongoing to secure vaccines against monkeypox.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the monkeypox virus is spread through bodily fluids and respiratory droplets. Intimate skin-to-skin contact, including sexual activity, is the primary mode of transmission.
Health officials stress the need to handwash often and avoid contact with the infected.
Fever, severe headache, muscular pains, back ache, enlarged lymph nodes, and rashes or lesions on the skin are some of the symptoms of monkeypox.