According to Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa, this newly detected case in the country is the tenth case recorded so far, with the first one being reported back in 2022.
The patient began experiencing symptoms last week, including fever and the development of rashes on his face, back, neck, chest, abdomen, palms, and soles of his feet.
He was treated in a public hospital where a polymerase chain reaction test confirmed that he had the monkeypox virus.
The symptoms of monkeypox include a rash or blistering sores that last two to four weeks, along with fever, headaches, muscle pain, backache, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
All monkeypox cases in the country have been isolated from other people, treated, and have since recovered.
Herbosa also clarified that monkeypox cannot be contracted through the air as it is not airborne. "Monkeypox is transmitted through close and intimate contact. It is not airborne. Soap and water are effective in cleaning surfaces. So are alcohol sanitizers."
The virus spreads through close contact with an infected person (sexual contact, kissing or touching the infected person), contaminated objects (bedding or cloth used by the infected person), or infected animals (handling or kissing them).
Hospitals where one can go if they suspect they have the monkeypox virus include the following: Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, San Lazaro Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, and UP-Philippine General Hospital.
(Photos from DOH)
