PHILIPPINES MPOX CASES ROSE TO 18 – DOH

A total of 18 individuals were tested positive in mpox virus in the country this year according to the DOH (Photo courtesy of AA, Asia-Pacific)

A total of 18 cases of mpox which was formerly known as monkeypox have been tested positive in the Philippines on year 2024, as three new cases were recorded according to the Department of Health (DOH). 

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa announced that the three new cases were all of whom are male that came from Calabarzon and Metro Manila. 5 have recovered, while 13 are still considered active cases. 

“The good thing is, all the 18 cases that we have picked up as of now, have not infected anyone. They don’t have an epidemiological link. This means that when we isolate them, the transmission of the disease stops,” Herbosa said.

The public are reminded that the FDA has not approved any mpox vaccine to date, as the Philippines is set to receive about 2,000 vaccines hopefully "in the next few months." 

The DOH chief believes that mpox cases in the country can still be controlled in a more effective way to prevent mpox is to practice cleanliness pending the arrival of these vaccine doses.

“As you can see, mpox is very easy to control. I don't need a vaccine to control it. What we only need is good public health the prevention, detection, and isolation of mpox cases can prevent its spread,” he added.

Mpox virus can be transmitted to humans through close and intimate contact with someone who is infectious. Use of soap and water can kill the virus, and using gloves when washing contaminated materials.

Symptoms include a skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last two to four weeks. The rashes are accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern on Aug. 14, after the new variant that appears to spread more easily between people, was identified, emphasizing that mpox is “not the new COVID.”

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer 

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