Monkeypox detection in PH won’t stop opening of classes, says DOH

DOH logo with a close-up of a hand with monkeypox symptoms.

MANILA, Philippines — Monkeypox virus detection in the country will not stall face-to-face classes this month, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

“There is no reason for us to delay or stop the opening of classes because of the detection of the case of monkeypox in our country,” said DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire in a media briefing.

“Meron po tayong mga (we already have) safeguards that are put in place so we can ensure the safety of our children,” she added.

Health screenings of students and teachers are among the safeguards, said Vergeire.

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Anyone with symptoms of both the monkeypox virus and the COVID-19 virus should not be able to enter.

“So we will be coordinating with the DepEd (Department of Education) on this para masiguro po natin ang kaligtasan ng kabataan (to ensure the safety of the youth),” she added.

Last July 29, the DOH announced the detection of the first case of monkeypox in the country.

It said the patient is a 31-year-old Filipino national who arrived from abroad on July 19. It also said that the patient, who has since been “recovering well at home,” had 10 close contacts who have been advised to quarantine as the DOH monitored their conditions.

Monkeypox is a type of viral infection common in West and Central Africa that is similar to smallpox. The DOH stressed that monkeypox is not like COVID-19.

KGA/abc