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Tracers face challenges in reaching close contacts of new mpox patient

Article (news)

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

<div><span dir="ltr" id="isPasted"></span></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17243183906291724318387904.png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Kyle Planck, who has recovered from mpox, shows a photo of a rash on his skin during an interview in New York on July 19, 2022. <em>Yuki Iwamura, AFP/File</em></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — While staff of the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit are hard at work in reaching out and consistently monitoring close contacts of the country’s latest mpox patient, it admits it is experiencing challenges, especially when it comes to personal information necessary to ensure that the contact tracing goes smoothly.</p><p>Speaking to the media, QCESU head Dr. Rolly Cruz said they are still in constant coordination with the spa the patient visited.</p><p>Of the 41 identified close contacts, 28 are in mandatory quarantine. Cruz says they are closely monitoring the massage therapist and other clients regularly to ask whether or not symptoms are beginning to manifest.</p><p>“Meron lang hindi consistent kasi meron kaming hinahanap pa… Kasi hindi kumpleto ‘yung data nung ibang 27 na nasa list,” he said.</p><p> (There are inconsistencies. We are still looking for some because of the incomplete information of some of the 27 close contacts.)</p><p>“Ang lesson dito: kung ikaw ay may-ari ng spa, dapat kung may mga customer ka, dapat kumpleto ‘yung detalye ng customer mo. At least correct ‘yung pangalan tsaka yung mobile number.”</p><p>(The lesson here is, if you’re a spa owner, the details of your clients should be complete and correct, especially their names and contact numbers.)</p><p>Based on Republic Act 1132 or the Notifiable Diseases Law, non-cooperation of individuals identified as having the notifiable disease – or affected by the health event of public concern – is considered a prohibited act.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/21/marcos-orders-continuous-mpox-surveillance-1305">Marcos orders continuous mpox surveillance</a></div><p>“Kinakausap natin sila ng maayos, paano natin sila matutulungan. So we’re asking for their cooperation.”</p><p>(We are talking to them properly to explain how we can help them. We’re asking for their cooperation.)</p><div> <strong>IMPROVING KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS</strong> </div><p>Following the incident, Cruz says they are in the process of improving guidelines and systems to ensure a better and safer space for both the patrons and service providers of establishments.</p><p>Among the improvements in place is making employees more aware of how to recognize the appearance and impacts of mpox.</p><p>“Kasi sa HIV/AIDS and STIs, nakikita na nila ‘yun. Pinapakita namin sa kanila kung ano ang itsura. Ngayon idadagdag na lang natin ‘yun.”</p><p>(They already know about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections. We’ve shown them that. Now we will add mpox.)</p><p>The local Health Department and the Business Processing and Licensing Office have also gone to other establishments to conduct rapid assessments, particularly when it comes to required business and health permits. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/19/doh-reports-new-mpox-case-no-travel-history-outside-ph-1138">DOH reports new mpox case with no travel history outside PH</a></div><p>The spa visited by the mpox patient was ordered to cease operations because it lacked the necessary permits.</p><p>Aside from business and sanitary permits, employees of such establishments, particularly massage therapists, should also have health cards indicating they are fit to work.</p><p>“Required silang mag-screening for STIs every two weeks. So ‘yun ang ginagawa natin. Kung wala sila niyan, hindi sila dapat pwedeng mag-continue ng trabaho nila.”</p><p>(They are required to undergo screening for STIs every two weeks. We do that. If they don’t have that, they shouldn’t be allowed to continue providing massage services.)</p><p>More importantly, aside from establishment owners acquiring necessary permits, they should also make sure that no activities that put people at risk of disease transmission take place within their premises.</p><p>&quot;Isa lang sa sinasabi namin sa mga establishment: Dapat walang kasing nangyayari na transmission of disease – between the client and staff and also among the clients. Hindi dapat ganoon. Kasi wellness spa nga ito.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/8/21/one-person-dies-from-mpox-in-ivory-coast-authorities-1224">One person dies from mpox in Ivory Coast: authorities</a></div><p>(We always say that there shouldn’t be any activities that would allow the transmission of disease either from client to staff or even among the clients themselves. It shouldn’t be because this is, after all, a wellness spa.” Cruz said.</p><p>QCESU said they will continue reaching out to close contacts using available information to monitor and ensure those identified to undergo mandatory quarantine are adherent.</p><p>Based on the timelines, the quarantine of identified close contacts should end by September 1</p>

<p>While staff of the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit are hard at work in reaching out and consistently monitoring close contacts of the country’s latest mpox patient, it admits it is experiencing challenges. </p>

While staff of the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit are hard at work in reaching out and consistently monitoring close contacts of the country’s latest mpox patient, it admits it is experiencing challenges.