The Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippines recently confirmed the country’s 10th laboratory-confirmed case of mpox, previously known as monkeypox. The patient is a 33-year-old Filipino male with no travel history outside the Philippines. This indicates the virus is circulating within the country. As the mpox outbreak in the Philippines continues, health officials are stepping up their efforts to control the spread of the virus.
Mpox, transmitted through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated materials, or animals, has been a global health issue since the virus gained prominence in 2022. Two main subtypes of mpox exist: the more severe clade 1, which is endemic to Central Africa, and the less severe clade 2, found in West Africa. The emergence of a new variant, clade 1b, has raised international concern, especially after cases were reported in Sweden and Pakistan.
After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global public health emergency due to the mpox outbreak in Africa, the government enhanced their surveillance. That’s how the latest case was detected. The patient developed symptoms over a week ago, starting with a fever, followed by a distinctive rash that spread to his face, back, trunk, groin, and even the palms of his hands and soles of his feet. A PCR test confirmed the presence of the mpox virus.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa emphasized that this case is a clear sign of community transmission, dispelling any notion that the virus has only been brought in from abroad. Mpox outbreak in the Philippines is a growing concern, particularly with the potential for further cases to emerge. Despite this, Herbosa urged Filipinos not to panic but to increase vigilance, especially regarding hygiene practices such as frequent handwashing.
Hospitals in Metro Manila, including the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and the Philippine General Hospital, are prepared to test for mpox. Facilities in Northern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are also capable of testing, ensuring broader nationwide coverage.
