PH detects 2 more monkeypox cases, total infections now 3

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippines has recorded two new monkeypox cases, bringing the total number of infections in the country to three, Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press briefing on Friday.

The two new reported cases are those of a 34-year-old and a 29-year-old.

Both patients have recently traveled to countries with confirmed monkeypox cases, the DOH said.

The 34-year-old patient is undergoing home isolation while contact tracing is ongoing. Meanwhile, the 29-year-old patient is in isolation at a health facility with identified 17 close contacts.

Vergeire did not give added details on the two new monkeypox cases.

“To comply with the laws on notifiable diseases and data privacy, we cannot release any other details beyond what has been mentioned this time,” Vergeire said.

The first monkeypox case in the country was reported on July 29.

Vergeire said the first monkeypox case patient was discharged from isolation on August 6, with all 10 contacts also completing quarantine.

“No laboratory confirmatory testing had to be performed as they were all asymptomatic on final assessment,” Vergeire said.

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