DOH reminds public: Monkeypox is not like COVID-19

FILE PHOTO: Test tubes labelled “Monkeypox virus positive” are seen in this illustration taken May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

MANILA, Philippines — Monkeypox is not like COVID-19 that spreads mostly through air, the Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public Friday.

DOH’s Dr. Beverly Ho said this as the Philippines recorded its first case of monkeypox—a 31-year-old Filipino who had prior travel to countries with documented monkeypox cases.

“Monkeypox is caused by a different microorganism; it’s different from COVID-19,” Ho said.

“Investigation of recent monkeypox cases in other non-endemic countries indicate potential transmission through sexual contact. It spreads mostly by intimate sexual contact with those who have rashes or open lesions,” she added.

Ho said monkeypox is “not like COVID-19 that spreads mostly through [the] air.”

“We minimize close sexual contact with suspected cases, especially those with rashes or open wounds,” Ho said.

“Keep our hands clean, wear a face mask, cover cough using our elbow and continue to choose areas with good ventilation or airflow,” she added.

Aside from sexual contact, monkeypox can also be spread through “direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids,” according to the Centers for Disease Control.

It can also spread by “touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids.”

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