(CNN Philippines) Metro Manila — The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday confirmed that the country has recorded its first case of monkeypox.

In a Palace briefing, Health Undersecretary Beverly Ho said the patient is a 31-year-old Filipino who arrived from abroad on July 19. The patient had prior travel to countries with documented monkeypox cases.

Ho, who is also the DOH alternate spokesperson, said the person tested positive for the disease after undergoing RT-PCR test. She added that the patient is undergoing strict isolation and monitoring at home.

The department did not disclose the gender, travel history, and residence of the confirmed monkeypox case.

The DOH added it has identified 10 close contacts, including three from the same household. But Ho said the close contacts are not exhibiting any symptoms and are being monitored.

Monkeypox was earlier declared by the World Health Organization as a public health emergency of international concern.

Monkeypox is a less severe cousin of smallpox that originated from animals and can be transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected individual such as through body fluids, sores or contaminated items, health authorities said.