Border closure not yet needed, DOH says as 1st monkeypox case detected in PH

MANILA, Philippines — A border closure is not needed, even with the discovery of the first monkeypox case in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday.

DOH officer-in-charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire said that the World Health Organization (WHO) still classifies monkeypox as a disease with a risk of “low to moderate.”

“Katulad ng direksyon ng current administration, gusto natin na pumupunta na tayo sa phase na tayo po’y nakakabalik na sa ating trabaho, eskwelahan. And also itong pagsasara ng borders ay hindi pa kinakailangan,” Vergeire said at the sidelines of the “Pinas Lakas” booster campaign in Pasig City.

(In line with the current administration’s direction, we want to get to that phase where we can go to our jobs and schools. And also, closing of borders is still not needed.)

“Unang-una kahit WHO, ang risk ng monkeypox is just low to moderate, hindi kailangang magsara ng borders, hindi kailangang tumigil ang trade,” she added.

(Even the WHO has classified monkeypox as a low to moderate risk. Therefore, we do not need to close borders, trade does not have to stop.)

Nonetheless, Vergeire stressed that preventive measures must be implemented against monkeypox.

The Department of Health announced earlier this month that a 31-year-old Filipino national had been diagnosed with monkeypox. The patient had previously traveled to countries where monkeypox had been documented.

Vergeire said the patient is “recovering well” and is still isolated at home.

READ:  First case of monkeypox detected in PH

The World Health Organization earlier said the rapidly spreading monkeypox outbreak is a “public health emergency of international concern” – designed to signal that a coordinated international response is needed and could unlock funding and global efforts to collaborate on sharing vaccines and treatments.

READ: Monkeypox: What to know amid unusual rise in cases

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