DOH exec in Capiz reminds public to be vigilant against monkeypox

In this file handout photo provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention taken in 1997 during an investigation into an outbreak of monkeypox, which took place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), depicts the dorsal surfaces of a monkeypox case in a patient who was displaying the appearance of the characteristic rash during its recuperative stage. Photo by Brian W.J. Mahy / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / AFP

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — An official of the Department of Health (DOH) in Capiz has reminded people to be vigilant against the monkeypox disease.

Jeoffrey Espiritu, spokesperson of the DOH in Capiz, on Sunday, July 31, said they would include the issue of monkeypox in their discussions with communities so people will be aware of how to avoid it.

Last Friday, Health Undersecretary Beverly Ho announced the first confirmed case of monkeypox in the Philippines. The case is said to be a 31-year-old male who recently arrived in the Philippines. The man has already recovered, although 10 of his close contacts were traced and placed in quarantine.

Ho also said the close contacts were not exhibiting any symptoms of the monkeypox disease.

READ: DOH reminds public: Monkeypox is not like COVID-19

Monkeypox is a virus that causes fever symptoms and a distinctive rash. It occurs primarily in the tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa but has been occasionally exported to other regions, according to the World Health Organization.

Ho said monkeypox spreads mainly through intimate sexual contact with those who have rashes and open lesions. She said discussions about the country’s access to monkeypox vaccines were done.