MANILA - Persons with suspected monkeypox symptoms are advised to isolate themselves in healthcare facilities and not at home, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPI) said Monday. In a televised public briefing, PHAPI president Dr. Rene de Grano said monkeypox is a contagious disease and it is important that the public is made aware of its symptoms. "Kung nakakaramdam sila ng ganiyang sintomas, mag-report agad sila nang sa gayon matingnan natin kung talaga pong monkeypox itong kanilang nararamdaman (If they are experiencing symptoms, they must report [to hospitals] right away to check if they have monkeypox symptoms)," he said. According to the World Health Organization, the symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle weakness, and rashes. De Grano said all private hospitals observe the mandates of the Department of Health (DOH) regarding the detection and management of monkeypox cases. Isolation will begin once an individual with possible
(File photo) MANILA - The entry of the rare monkeypox virus in the country is possible through travelers carrying the infection, an infectious disease expert said Monday. In a televised public briefing, Vaccine Experts Panel member Dr. Rontgene Solante said monkeypox, endemic in parts of Central and West Africa, has been detected in countries with "high-tech healthcare facilities". "With travel, you know now the possibility of one infection, a person carrying the infection can also travel a lot and can also enter a country that's where the vulnerability of most population, when one has the infection incubating and then arriving in the Philippines and develop the symptoms upon arrival or after the arrival," he said. According to the World Health Organization, the disease has recently emerged in 12 countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The WHO