UPDATED SCREENING QUESTIONS FOR MPOX IN PH E-TRAVEL FORM

Passengers entering and leaving the country need to complete the eTRavel form to prevent the entry of deadly mpox (Photo courtesy of Rappler)

The Department of Health (DOH) continues to monitor the five active cases in the country as well as its close contacts. Only the Clade 2 variant of mpox has entered the Philippines, what is being avoided is the entry of the Clade 1B variant which is the reason why mpox was declared a public health emergency.

In the DOH advisory, screening questions will be updated in the electronic travel (eTravel) form to be filled out by international travelers, especially those from countries with mpox cases. In the event that exposure to the disease is confirmed, they will be referred to the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) for secondary screening.

According to ASec. Albert Domingo Spokesperson of the DOH, the number of answers in the health declaration form is still the same, only the symptoms of mpox such as on the skin have been added which can be checked by passengers who have felt sick in the past week.

If the passenger has symptoms and comes from countries where there is an outbreak, he will be approached by the BOQ who will go through the process and discussion for secondary screening to get a sample collection, and he will be isolated at home.

The DOH is now continuing the surveillance in the local, the close contact of case 10 has been traced to 72, while case 11 has 15 close contacts, case 12 has 9 close contacts, case 13 has 26 close contacts, and case 14 is four close contacts. It is said that surveillance and contact tracing is getting stronger in cooperation with the local government units are getting stronger.

Domingo added, being infected with mpox is different from Covid-19 because it is skin-to-skin. Some of the practical steps to prevent mpox are by wearing long sleeves, pants, avoid wearing shirts and shorts. And if talking closely, wear a face mask. It also includes washing hands and using alcohol sanitizers to avoid getting mpox.

When struck by the disease, there is symptomatic medicine for the itching and pain of the pimples according to the DOH. It is said to heal spontaneously, and the isolation period is two weeks to four weeks.

Source: GMA Integrated News 

Be part of ImHenyo community!

Get featured by sharing your stories, news, and comments

Email us at [email protected]