Philippines confirms 4th monkeypox case

The Philippines has detected its fourth case of monkeypox virus, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed Monday.

According to Divine Reyes’ report on Super Radyo dzBB, the patient is a 25-year-old Filipino national with no travel history to any country with confirmed monkeypox cases. The individual tested positive for the virus after undergoing a PCR test at the DOH-RITM on August 19.

The DOH did not disclose the location of the fourth case. However, it said that the patient is now in isolation. Authorities are also conducting an intensive case investigation and contact tracing among those who have recently interacted with the patient.

Fourteen close contacts of the patient have been identified, of whom seven are currently in quarantine facilities. One is a healthcare worker who is self-monitoring while the status of the remaining contacts is still being verified.

The Health Department said the Philippines' four monkeypox patients have no relation to one another.

READ: Monkeypox symptoms, diagnosis, treatments and vaccines

A viral infection resembling smallpox and first detected in humans in 1970, monkeypox is less dangerous and contagious than smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980.

The first symptoms can include a fever, headaches, sharp muscle pains, fatigue, a rash, as well as swollen and painful lymph nodes.

Around one to three days after the appearance of a fever, a rash can turn into painful, fluid-filled skin lesions.

After a few days or weeks, the lesions or sores turn into scabs, before falling off. — Sundy Locus/BM, GMA News