AN official of the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH 7) has reassured the public that it has already activated and intensified its surveillance activity for monkeypox as early as May this year.

In an advisory on Saturday, July 30, 2022, DOH 7 Director Jaime Bernadas felt the need to reassure the public after the first case of Monkeypox in the Philippines was confirmed by the central office on Friday, July 29.

Bernadas noted that the two suspected cases in Central Visayas, one of whom was a two-year-old boy from Bohol and a 26-year-old male from Cebu, yielded negative results following their test samples submitted to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and a laboratory in the region.

The regional director, however, reminds the public that prevention against Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) also works for preventing the spread of monkeypox.

"Since monkeypox is transmitted via close contact with the skin lesion and fluid from the vesicles, physical distancing, avoiding crowded places and regular handwashing are effective," Bernadas said.

"Staying at home when sick is also advised especially if coming from travel from countries with confirmed cases of monkeypox and seek medical consult as soon as possible," he added.

Should there be cases in the region, Bernadas said all the heads of the health facilities have already been advised and are ready to accept patients for isolation and treatment.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Health Undersecretary Beverly Ho on Friday said the first confirmed case of monkeypox in the country was a 31-year-old returning overseas Filipino and was tested and confirmed positive on July 28.

The patient, however, has been tagged as recovered while the 10 identified close contacts are not showing any symptoms but they are in quarantine, which will take place between 14 to 21 days. (MKG)