DESIGNATED isolation facilities for monkeypox cases are being put in place in each of the provinces in Davao Region according to the Department of Health-Davao (DOH-Davao) on August 15, 2022.
DOH-Davao assistant regional director Dr. Gerna Manatad said during a press conference that this is one of the preparations to manage the emerging monkeypox disease once it enters the Davao Region.
“Each province should have identified or a designated isolation facility by the moment there is really a need to bring a suspected case to an isolation facility,” Manatad said, citing cases wherein home isolation or home monitoring would be difficult to do.
“We are assisting and closely providing technical assistance to the local government units (LGU) in return,” she added.
Manatad said this is because the preparedness and response of the LGU and their health sectors are a huge factor in the prevention and management of monkeypox, which focuses on surveillance, monitoring, isolation, and treatment.
“Very important ang pag-define sino ang dapat ma-isolate, monitor or quarantine, and saan dadalhin ang mga suspect monkeypox cases once there is a need to be hospitalized such as moderate or severe cases (It’s very important to know who should be isolated, or subject to monitoring or quarantine, and where to bring the suspected monkeypox cases once they need to be admitted or hospitalized such as if they have a moderate or severe case),” she said.
At the same time, Manatad said the region is strengthening its contingency plan, starting with monitoring ports of entry wherein arrivals from airports and seaports would be subject to health declaration and screening before they proceed to their main destination.
“This is particularly the role of the Bureau of Quarantine at international seaports and airports. There are standard operations procedures that our travelers have to comply with,” she said.
The same applies to foreign travelers visiting for the Kadayawan Festival this month, but Manatad added that establishments catering to both foreigners and locals are instructed on proper precautions as extra safety measures.
“We are coordinating with the Department of Tourism on how our different establishments can comply with the minimum health standards,” she said.
The country detected its first monkeypox case in the National Capital Region on July 29 but as of August 15, 2022, there is no confirmed case yet in Davao Region.
According to the assistant regional director, monkeypox can be transmitted through bodily fluids or skin-to-skin contact with infected blisters or lesions.
It can also be passed through contact with droplets or respiratory secretions.
“Wala tayong (We did not have) monkeypox cases before that is why we need to further study the transmission pattern because it’s a new disease to us,” Manatad said. ICM