First monkeypox case detected in Philippines

The first case of monkeypox was reported in the Philippines on Friday.

Reuters reported that the first case of monkeypox was detected in a person who had returned from abroad recently. Beverly Ho, Under Secretary, Department of Health said that the patient was in isolation.

According to health authorities, the 31-year-old patient has travelled to countries with documented monkeypox cases and he returned from abroad on July 19. Beverly Ho said that the case was confirmed by conducting an RT-PCR test. The patient has been discharged and has been advised strict isolation and monitoring at home, Ho said.

Ho said that 10 close contacts of the patient have been identified and three of them were from the same household. The close contacts do not show any symptoms at present and they have been advised quarantine, Ho said.