Philippines implements 4-door strategy to prevent entry of monkeypox virus

The Philippines has adopted a four-door strategy in intensifying border control to prevent the entry of monkeypox virus into the country, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

“Kasalukyang 12 bansa na ang may pinakabagong kaso ng monkeypox. Kabilang dito ay siyam na bansa sa Europa pati na rin sa Estados Unidos, Canada at Australia. Dahil dito ang DOH ay pinaigting, katuwang ng ibang national agencies ang four-door strategy,” Health undersecretary Abdullah Dumama Jr. said during the weekly "Talk to the People."

(There are currently 12 countries that have reported cases of the monkeypox virus. It includes nine countries in Europe, US, Canada, and Australia. Because of that, the DOH has intensified — along with other agencies — our four-door strategy.)

“Ating pagtitibayin ang screening process sa borders para maiwasan ang pagpasok sa bansa,” he said.

(We will implement a stronger screening process to prevent the entry of the virus into our borders.)

According to the DOH, a four-door strategy is a “national government-enabled, local government-led, and people-centered response” implemented initially to curb the spread of the dreaded coronavirus.

It is divided into four parts: one, implementing travel restrictions and bans as a separate and primary level of defense to supplement the currently implemented health protocols; two, ensuring safeguards are implemented such as screening, testing, and quarantine at points of entry to lessen the risk of incoming travelers from triggering the local spread of the variants of concerns; three, strengthening the implementation of the prevent-detect-isolate-treat-reintegrate strategies to immediately detect and isolate possible COVID-19 cases; and four, strengthening health and critical capacity and systems versus a surge to ensure proper and timely COVID-19 management and continuity of essential services.

Last week, the DOH said there are still no cases of monkeypox in the country.

To prevent transmission, the DOH advised the public to adhere to minimum public health standards including mask-wearing, observing physical distancing, and maintaining good hygiene.—LDF, GMA News