Imposing lockdown due to 4th monkeypox case ‘overacting’ — Solante

Implementing a lockdown in response to the country’s fourth monkeypox case is an overreaction, an infectious disease expert said Monday.

Dr. Rontgene Solante issued the remark when asked during a public briefing about calls pushing for a lockdown after the country detected the case last week.

“Well, that’s overacting, no, in terms of lockdown as an option for monkeypox infection. Ang current cases natin are not enough yet to say na kailangan tayo mag lockdown (Our current cases are not enough yet to say that we need to impose a lockdown),” Solante said.

Solante said the government should strive to increase the public’s awareness and knowledge of the monkeypox virus.

According to the infectious disease expert, monkeypox is not as transmissible as COVID-19.

“So I don’t think a lockdown is a solution. It’s important to increase the awareness in these regions, especially kung saan ang monkeypox ngayon in terms of the community, paano natin maiwasan ang monkeypox, ano ‘yung mga common sintomas (how to avoid it, and what the symptoms are),” he said.

READ: Monkeypox symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and vaccines

Meanwhile, when asked if there is already a local transmission due to the fourth case’s lack of travel history, Solante said it is “too early to say.”

However, he said there is still a possibility of local transmission.

“But given the fact na itong pang-apat na kaso ay walang history of travel, then the likelihood of a local transmission can be there, no? At hindi tayo magpapanic at mas lalo natin paigtingin ang mga protocols natin,” he said.

(But given the fact that this fourth case does not have a travel history then the likelihood of a local transmission can be there. And we will not panic, we will intensify our protocols.)

The first symptoms of monkeypox can include a fever, headaches, sharp muscle pains, fatigue, a rash, as well as swollen and painful lymph nodes.—AOL, GMA News