SAME PROTOCOLS. Dr. Bernard Demot, chief of the Molecular Laboratory of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, speaks online during a briefing on Thursday (June 2, 2022). He urged city residents to continue observing the health and safety protocols against Covid-19, which will also protect them against monkeypox. (Screengrab by Liza T. Agoot)
BAGUIO CITY – Residents here are urged to continue observing the health and safety protocols against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as the same measures would protect a person against monkeypox.
Dr. Bernard Demot, chief of the Molecular Laboratory Service at the Department of Health-managed Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) here, said in a briefing on Thursday monkeypox is transmitted from respiratory droplets of infected persons and other body fluids from infectious skin lesions, and contaminated beddings or clothing.
“You can protect yourselves if you continue to observe the same safety protocols of hand washing, use of masks, and physical distancing,” he said.
Demot added that practicing safe sex is also a means of protection as it was found out that there were men having sex with men who contracted the monkeypox virus after sexual intercourse.
He said they are glad many of the residents continue to observe Covid-19 health and safety protocols.
“Maswerte tayo marami pa ang naka-mask kaya ituloy lang natin kasi protection natin yan laban din sa monkeypox (We are lucky that many still use masks and we must continue doing it to also protect ourselves from being sick of monkeypox),” he said.
While the transmissibility is only 1 to 10 percent, he said those who might suffer the most and possibly die of monkeypox are those who are immunocompromised. (PNA)
