The Philippines has recorded its first case of monkeypox, a Department of Health (DOH) official bared on Friday.
At a briefing in Malacañang, Health Undersecretary Dr. Beverly Ho said the patient is 31 years old. She declined to divulge more details about the patient, including the gender.
Ho said the patient arrived from abroad on July 19. She added that the patient had prior travel to countries with monkeypox cases, and was only tested for monkeypox on Thursday, July 28.
"The case has been discharged well and is undergoing strict isolation and monitoring at home," Ho said, adding that the DOH has recorded 10 close contacts of the patient.
Ho said three of the 10 close contacts were in the same household as the patient. The close contacts have not manifested any symptoms yet, she said.
"No symptoms for the current close contacts, that's why they're all on quarantine, they're being observed," Ho said.
"All have been advised to quarantine and are being monitored by the Department," she added.
"The DOH assures everyone that our public surveillance systems are able to detect and confirm monkeypox cases."
Ho advised those with travel history in countries with confirmed monkeypox cases and are now experiencing symptoms to immediately seek medical attention.
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