THE Department of Health (DOH) is ready to prevent the spread of monkeypox, Malacañang assured the public after the detection of two more cases of the virus in the country.

“Siniguro ng Department of Health ang kahandaan natin para sa monkeypox matapos ang kumpirmasyon ng dalawang bagong kaso ng nasabing sakit,” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a Facebook post on Friday night.

The DOH reported Friday that two more individuals have tested positive for monkeypox, bringing the country’s total case count to three.

The second case is a 34-year-old Filipino national, while the third is a 29-year-old Filipino, both with travel history to a country with confirmed cases.

The results of their polymerase chain reaction test conducted by the DOH Research Institute for Tropical Medicine showed they are infected with monkeypox.

The two confirmed cases are not related to each other or the first case and are currently under strict isolation.

The DOH is conducting case investigation and contact tracing for both cases.

Citing the explanation of DOH officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, Cruz-Angeles said monkeypox could spread through skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual.

She said monkeypox is different from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which can be spread by air.

“Nagpaalala rin si Usec. Vergeire na patuloy nating sundin ang health protocols para makaiwas sa COVID-19 at monkeypox virus,” she said.

The first case of monkeypox in the country has already recovered and has been discharged from isolation, the DOH reported.

Monkeypox could be transmitted through sexual contact, based on the results of an investigation of recent cases in non-endemic countries.

The DOH advised the public to avoid skin-to-skin contact with suspected cases, especially those with rashes or open wounds.

Travelers from countries with monkeypox cases were also asked to seek immediate medical attention if they exhibit symptoms, such as fever, lymphadenopathy or “kulani” and rashes.

“The DOH wishes to emphasize that anyone may get monkeypox,” the department said. “Keep hands clean. Wear a face mask. Cover coughs using the elbow, and choose areas with good airflow.” Philippine News Agency