95pc of monkeypox cases passed through sexual contact
Published on: Tuesday, August 02, 2022
By: Agencies
Source: newsinfo.inquirer.net
MANILA: Department of Health (DOH) Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday said about 95 percent of monkeypox cases around the world are transmitted through sexual activities.Vergeire, however, clarified that the monkeypox virus is not considered as a sexually transmitted disease.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It is not classified as a sexually transmitted disease. Although now that this monkeypox virus has evolved, it can be gotten through sexual contact. Actually, 95 percent cases right now globally are acquired through sexual contact, “she said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that monkeypox can spread “during close skin-to-skin contact during sex, including kissing, touching, oral and penetrative sex with someone who has symptoms.”
The WHO also said that anyone can get or pass on monkeypox, regardless of his/her sexuality.
The DOH announced on Friday that the Philippines has already recorded its first case of monkeypox in a 31-year-old patient who arrived from abroad on July 19. He tested positive for the virus on Thursday, July 28.
ADVERTISEMENT
On July 23, WHO declared monkeypox as a “public health emergency of international concern” — the highest alarm it can sound.
Vergeire said that there were deaths reported due to monkeypox, and that immunocompromised, pregnant women, and senior citizens may be more vulnerable to the virus.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The resistance of the immunocompromised to the virus is low. Those who can also be vulnerable to monkeypox are pregnant women, the young, and the elderly who already have many comorbidities, “she added.
Vergeire thus reminded the public to adhere to the same health protocols against Covid-19 to protect themselves against monkeypox virus, such as wearing the best-fitted mask, keeping hands clean, and observing physical distance.
Meanwhile, infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said that Covid-19 is still more dangerous compared to monkeypox as those infected with the latter normally heal after 21 to 28 days.
“They are different in terms of mortality as Covid-19 is more dangerous compared to monkeypox,” he said.
“In general, this is a less severe type of infection compared to Covid-19,” he added.
Meanwhile, the DOH said a number of Philippine hospitals can handle monkeypox cases.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire made the statement when asked if the government needed to put up referral hospitals for monkeypox, similar to the creation of Covid-10 referral centres.
“We have infectious diseases hospitals specialised for this, like the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. We also have our San Lazaro Hospital, and Level 3 hospitals all over the country are all capable of doing and managing this kind of cases, “she said.
“So we don’t need a special referral hospital for this,” she added.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
