BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) in Negros Occidental assured Negrenses that the province – and the whole country for that matter – remains free from monkeypox.
Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox, although it is much less severe and experts say chances of infection are low.
It occurs mostly in remote parts of central and west African countries, near tropical rainforests.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus is usually a self-limited disease with the symptoms lasting from two to four weeks. Severe cases can occur. In recent times, the case fatality ratio has been around three to six percent.
Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus.
It can also be transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding.
Monkeypox typically presents clinically with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications.
Treatment includes the use of antiviral agent developed for the treatment of smallpox, and vaccines used during the smallpox eradication programme also provided protection against monkeypox.
PHO head Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said the Department of Health (DOH) is continuously monitoring the reported cases from other countries.
He advised Negrenses to observe proper hygiene, eating nutritious meals, and strengthening the immune system to avoid getting sick.
Over the past few days several countries in Europe, as well as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom have reported cases of monkeypox./PN
