Health authorities in Negros Oriental are tracing those who may have come into contact with a male patient suspected to have died of monkeypox, an official said yesterday.

“This is a suspected case based on symptoms that the patient manifested, and I have asked to do a contact tracing just to be sure that the disease is not transmitted,” Dr. Liland Estacion, chief of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), said in an interview.

The 27-year-old fatality is from Barangay Masulog in Canlaon City, but works in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

The initial report said the patient was not feeling well, exhibited rashes all over his body, and returned to his hometown last week.

The man sought treatment at the Canlaon City District Hospital on May 28, before returning to Bacolod City, where he died on June 2.

Monkeypox is an infectious viral disease that may be transmitted through droplets or sexual contact, kissing, touching, or coming into contact with infected clothing or animals, Estacion said.

Further evaluation is being done to ascertain if the deceased indeed died of monkeypox. (PNA)