By Alec Go
The Department of Health (DOH) said Friday, May 20, that the viral disease monkeypox has not yet been detected in the Philippines or “at its borders” amid its detection in Europe, United States (US), Canada, and Australia.
In an advisory, the DOH said the disease is “transmitted to humans through close contact (wounds, body fluids, respiratory droplets) with an infected person or animal, or with contaminated materials.”
“While Monkeypox may look like Smallpox, it is less contagious and causes less severe illness,” it stated, citing the World Health Organization (WHO).
The DOH said minimum public health standards in preventing COVID-19 such as wearing a best-fitted mask, ensuring good airflow, keeping hands clean, and keeping physical distance can prevent Monkeypox transmission.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the illness begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion.
Following a fever, a rash will develop from the face and will spread to other parts of the body. The illness reportedly lasts for two to four weeks.
“In Africa, monkeypox has been shown to cause death in as many as 1 in 10 persons who contract the disease,” the CDC said.
Citing WHO, the DOH said the disease comes from animals and “occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.”
According to WHO, smallpox vaccination has demonstrated “through several observational studies” an 85% effectiveness in preventing smallpox.
Meanwhile, Philippine health authorities assured that screening and surveillance systems are in place to monitor the situation.
The United States has already reported one case from a resident who returned from Canada on May 18 (US time), while Canada has detected two cases, United Kingdom with nine, and Australia with one. – gb
