Tourists arrive in Bohol province, a popular destination in the country. (Leo Udtohan/Inquirer Visayas)
TAGBILARAN CITY — A suspected monkeypox patient, who was admitted to a government-run hospital here, tested negative for the virus on Thursday.
“Thank God, the result of the sample of the suspected monkeypox patient has tested negative,” read the announcement of Gov. Aris Aumentado on Facebook.
There were no further details given by the governor.
A source said a female German national who traveled to Bohol was quarantined at the Bohol Provincial Health Office facility last December 2 after experiencing fever and skin lesions.
The tourist was discharged after her reports came back negative.
Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe.
According to the World Health Organization, it is transmitted from infected animals to humans via indirect or direct contact. Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with infectious skin or lesions, including face-to-face, skin-to-skin, and respiratory droplets.