By Myris Lee
National Task Force Against COVID-19 Medical Adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa said Saturday, May 21, that there is no need to close Philippine borders amid the detection of monkeypox in several countries.
Citing its effect on the country’s economy, Herbosa suggested against closing the country’s borders anew, but stressed that monitoring and preparedness will continue.
“Nakita ninyo naman ang pagsara ng borders, malaki ang epekto sa turismo, ekonomiya at saka supply chain ng ating mga goods and services.So, hindi sapat or hindi tama na dapat mag-close down,” Herbosa said during the Laging Handa briefing.
“Huwag tayong masyadong matakot dito. I think iyang information ng [World Health Organization] syempre ay naaalarma sila na biglang dumami ang mga countries na nagre-report ng monkeypox. 85 cases sa buong mundo in the past days,” he added.
Cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in at least 12 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Herbosa likewise urged the public to continue observing minimum health standards to prevent monkeypox transmission as the prevention of the virus is the same with COVID-19.
“‘Yung ating mga measures for COVID-19 are the same. Iyong physical distancing, iyong pagsusuot ng face mask, pag-isolate ng taong infected,” he added.
“Ang maganda pa, ito ay mayroong vesicle, so maa-identify mo kaagad iyong taong dapat i-isolate. And habang basa siya, hindi pa dry ay infectious iyon,” he continued.
Monkeypox is a virus transmitted to humans from animals that is endemic to Africa and resembles smallpox, but is less contagious and causes less severe illness.
The symptoms of monkeypox are fever, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. -gb
