The Philippine Airlines (PAL) is now sending communication letters to 95 passengers of its Flight PR 300 from Manila to Hong Kong on Sept. 5 after one one of them manifested symptoms of monkeypox that was detected upon arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport.
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said PAL is closely coordinating with the Central Heath Protection of the Department of Health Hong Kong in tracing other passengers through the passenger manifest.
"We are also giving contact numbers of PAL Hong Kong so that in case they manifested symptoms they will be assisted," said Villaluna.
According to Villaluna, the Filipino passenger who showed symptoms of monkeypox was brought to the quarantine site on Sept. 5 and was transferred to a hospital the following day. The passenger will remain in the hospital until Sept. 9 for a rive-day days quarantine.
Villaluna said they immediately took action after they were advised of the incident.
"In line with international health protocols, we have coordinated with the health authorities in Hong Kong and shared relevant manifest information. We have communicated to the Philippine Department of Health about the said case. We are also notifying the passengers on the flight who were in close proximity to the affected traveller," Villaluna said.
"Despite the relatively low risk of getting infected, passengers on this flight are advised to monitor their health and requested to seek medical attention if they are experiencing symptoms. They can contact the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the HK Department of Health (DH)," she added.