The Philippines continues to watch the monkeypox outbreak overseas, but a border shutdown is unlikely, a special adviser said Saturday.
Dr. Ted Herbosa of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 said monkeypox is an ancient, non-airborne illness.
“We’ll monitor and prepare, but the same public health precautions will apply,” he stated in Filipino. Ako (I) won’t recommend blocking our borders because of 85 monkeypox cases.
An infectious disease expert claimed monkeypox is related to smallpox, which can be utilized to make a vaccine.
“The smallpox virus can affect monkeypox. So countries that have frozen the smallpox virus can make the vaccine, but we can’t. When kumalat, make bakuna (Smallpox vaccine may protect against monkeypox. Some governments have frozen the smallpox virus since eradication to create a vaccine if it returns “saying
The WHO confirmed 80 cases of monkeypox in 11 countries and is investigating 50 others.
As surveillance develops, “more will be reported,” it said.
Over 10 non-endemic countries have detected monkeypox as of May 19, WHO stated.
Netherlands and Paris reported monkeypox infections Friday.
The Paris Health Ministry stated their case includes a 29-year-old male who has never travelled to a place where the virus is spreading, according to Anadolu News Agency.
Fever, headache, muscle aches, back discomfort, low energy, swollen lymph nodes, and rash or lesions are common monkeypox symptoms.
Rash starts one to three days following fever.
WHO says lesions can be flat or elevated, filled with clear or yellowish fluid, then crust, dry, and fall off.
The incubation period is 5-21 days.
In another press release on Friday, the WHO claimed some cases were found through sexual health services.
The condition can be more severe in young children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised people.