PH Detects Fourth Monkeypox Case; Contact Tracing Ongoing

The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Monday, Aug. 22, the fourth case of monkeypox in the Philippines. The patient is a 25-year-old Filipino national with no documented travel history. The patient was tested via real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) on Aug. 19.

Contact tracing and intensive investigation are underway for the 14 close contacts of the patient. According to the DOH, one of them is currently in isolation, while six are undergoing quarantine. Details of the other close contacts are still being verified.

The DOH also clarified that the four cases of monkeypox in the Philippines are unrelated to each other. “The first case has already recovered and been discharged from isolation as of Aug. 6. The second and third cases are still in home isolation and in stable condition.”

The DOH advised the public to always wear a face mask when going out and avoid close contact with suspected cases, especially those with rashes and lesions.