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Agencies

The Philippines has detected its first case of monkeypox in a person with a history of overseas travel, officials said on Friday.
The announcement comes within a week of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency.
Philippine officials did not identify the gender of the person, only saying they were 31 years old and tested positive on Thursday after an RT-PCR test.
The patient – who travelled to countries with documented monkeypox cases – is “recovering well” and is under home isolation, health agency Director Beverly Ho said at a televised briefing.


“Ten close contacts were recorded, of which three are from the same household. All have been advised to quarantine and are being monitored by the department.”
The close contacts had not shown any symptoms, Ho said.
Transmission can occur through contact with skin lesions caused by the virus, as well as bodily fluids, large respiratory droplets and contaminated bedding.
Although monkeypox can be deadly, it is treatable. There is a vaccine against the disease, but it is in short supply globally.
“Our [public health surveillance] systems are in place. But we all need to work together. We need also the public to be vigilant,” Ho added.
Monkeypox in mainland China ‘only a matter of time’, says top scientist
“Based on what we know about monkeypox … there is a very clear need to be more careful about who we interact with, particularly sexual, intimate contact.”
The health ministry requires people exposed to monkeypox cases to quarantine for 14 to 21 days.
A surge in monkeypox infections has been reported since May outside the West and Central African countries where the disease has long been endemic.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday that more than 18,000 cases have now been reported to the organisation from 78 countries, with 70 per cent of them in Europe and 25 per cent in the Americas.
Five deaths have been reported in the outbreak since May, he said.
Reduce number of sex partners to avoid monkeypox: WHO
The Philippines sought to head off potential panic, saying monkeypox was not like Covid-19.
“This is not like Covid that can be spread by air very easily and could possibly be fatal,” said Trixie Cruz-Angeles, press secretary for President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr.
“This is not particularly fatal. (President Ferdinand Marcos’) primary concern is to get the information out so that people would be aware.”
Ho said the Philippines was working with the United States to secure monkeypox vaccines.
The WHO is so far not recommending mass vaccinations.
The name of the virus refers to its discovery in a monkey during an animal experiment in Denmark in 1958. The first transmission to a human was confirmed in 1970.


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The Philippines

Philippines detects first case of monkeypox

The Philippines has detected its first case of monkeypox in a person with a history of overseas travel, officials said on Friday. Photo: Reuters

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A person arrives to receive a monkeypox vaccination in the US. File photo: Reuters

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization director general. Photo: Reuters

People lining up on Thursday in California to get vaccinated against the monkeypox virus. Photo: TNS

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A 3D microbiology render of the monkeypox virus. The disease’s spread may be declared a global emergency by the WHO. Photo: Shutterstock

China steps up monkeypox procedures, calling on travellers to announce contact with cases

China’s General Administration of Customs has announced new prevention measures in an attempt to stop monkeypox being introduced into China. Photo: CDC via AP

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Heath authorities have asked private doctors to report any suspected cases of monkeypox. Photo: AP

Dr Gabriel Choi Kin warns that doctors could misdiagnose suspected cases of monkeypox due to having limited experience with the disease. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

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The monkeypox virus is usually transmitted through physical contact. File photo: AP


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Southeast Asia

The 31-year-old patient – who travelled to countries with documented monkeypox cases – is ‘recovering well’ and is under home isolation
10 close contacts were recorded, of which three are from the same household. All have been advised to quarantine and are being monitored


The 31-year-old patient – who travelled to countries with documented monkeypox cases – is ‘recovering well’ and is under home isolation. 10 close contacts have been identified, of which three are from the same household.


Mpox

World Health Organization (WHO)

Coronavirus Philippines

Disease