The Philippines reported a fourth case of confirmed monkeypox infection, according to the Department of Health on Monday.
A 25-year-old Filipino with no documented travel history to or from any country with documented confirmed cases of monkeypox has tested positive via real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR by the DoH Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). The patient’s result was released 19 August, 2022.
“The case is being cared for and is admitted in an isolation facility,” according to the Health department.
The agency added that intensive case investigation and contact tracing are ongoing.
At the moment, a total of 14 close contacts have been identified, of which one is currently taking care of the case in the isolation facility while six are undergoing quarantine.
“One is a healthcare worker who had complete personal protection equipment (PPE) at time of consultation of case, assessed as low risk, and is now self-monitoring. Details of the other six are being verified,” the DoH said.
The Health department reiterated that all four confirmed monkeypox cases in the Philippines are unrelated to each other.
The first case has already recovered and been discharged from isolation as of 6 August 2022, while the second and third cases are still in home isolation and in stable condition.
No new contacts of these cases have been identified.
The DoH reminded the public that anyone may get infected with the monkeypox virus.
“Avoid close, sustained physical contact with suspected cases, especially those with rashes or skin lesions. Keep hands clean. Wear a face mask. Cover coughs using the elbow, and choose areas with good airflow,” it said.
“If you have a travel history to countries with monkeypox, or have come into close and sustained physical contact with people who have rashes or open lesions, and then have symptoms like fever, lymphadenopathy or ‘kulani’, and rashes, seek immediate medical attention. This will help hasten recovery,” it added.