41 QUARANTINED AFTER CONTACT WITH FIRST MPOX CASE IN PH

THE Quezon City government on Wednesday  said  it placed under quarantine at least 41 individuals who came into close contact with the country’s first mpox (monkeypox) patient.

Mayor Joy Belmonte, in a press conference, said the 33-year-old male patient, with no travel history, visited two establishments in E. Rodriguez, Quezon City.

She said the Filipino patient went to a dermatology clinic and a massage spa along E. Rodriguez Avenue.

“He is not a Quezon City resident. However, he patronized two of our establishments: – isang dermatology clinic kung saan siya nagpatingin, at isang massage spa para magpamasahe,” Belmonte said.

According to Rolly Cruz, City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) head, they were able to identify the individuals and placed them under quarantine to contain the spread of the disease.

The city government also closed down the spa after it was found to be operating without the necessary permits.

Before the Filipino patient’s spa visit, he reportedly experienced fever on August 8.

On August 15, he went to a dermatological clinic for a consultation following a  distinct rash on the face, back, nape, trunk, groin, as well as palms and soles.

He was then subjected to specimen sampling for mpox, with positive results released on August 18.

Meanwhile, as of this writing, no symptoms have been reported among the 41 contacts of the said patient.

The Department of Health (DoH) reported the first case of mpox days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease a global health emergency.