‘Warning travelers on monkeypox better than closing borders’

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AN infectious disease expert yesterday said issuing warnings and advisories to travelers on the possibility of contracting monkeypox is better than closing the country’s borders and preventing their entry.

Dr. Rontgene Solante, in an interview with radio dzBB, made the statement after the country recorded two new monkeypox cases involving travelers from countries with confirmed cases.

“We don’t need restrictions. We don’t need to ban their entry. What is important is giving travelers correct information, that they can get infected as well,” he said in Filipino.

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He added that travelers should report to authorities if they have symptoms for monkeypox, if they need to see a physician, and if they had intimate contact with persons in countries where there is monkeypox.

Solante reiterated the need to continue following health protocols such as washing hands and observing social distancing.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday confirmed two more cases of monkeypox in the Philippines, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to three. The two are under isolation. The first case has recovered and discharged from isolation early this month.

DOH officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire also said there is no need yet to close the country’s borders and the country should just improve its surveillance system and inform Filipinos about monkeypox which spreads mostly through skin-to-skin contact with those who have rashes or open lesions.

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