The country's flag carrier' Philippine Airlines is now sending communication letters to the 95 passengers of PAL flight PR300 from Manila to Hong Kong last 5 September, especially those seated beside the passenger who manifested symptoms of monkeypox that was detected upon arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport.

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said that PAL is closely coordinating with the Hong Kong Central Heath Protection of the Department of Health in tracing the other passengers through the passengers' manifest and the layout of the aircraft as they are also giving contact numbers of PAL Hong Kong so that in case they manifested symptoms they will be assisted.

Villaluna added that the Filipino passenger who showed symptoms of monkeypox was immediately brought to the quarantine site last 5 September and transferred to a hospital on 6 September. The Filipino passenger will remain in the hospital until 9 September for a 5-day quarantine.

In a late-night statement on Wednesday, Villaluna stated that they had been informed that one of the passengers on their PR300 aircraft from Manila to Hong Kong on 5 September, 2022, had been diagnosed with monkeypox.

In line with international health protocols, they have coordinated with the Hong Kong health authorities and shared relevant manifest information. They have also 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, Villuna added.

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 of the HK Department of Health.