DOH detects 1 new mpox case

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday announced that a new mpox (formerly monkeypox) case has been detected in the Philippines, bringing the total caseload to 10. 

Reported to the DOH on August 18, 2024, it  was the first mpox case detected in the country this year, the last case being in December 2023. 

“The case is a 33 year old male Filipino national with no travel history outside the Philippines but with close, intimate contact three weeks before symptom onset,” the DOH said. 

His symptoms started more than a week ago with fever, which was followed four days later by findings of a distinct rash on the face, back, nape, trunk, groin, as well as palms and soles. 

The patient was brought to a government hospital where specimens were collected from the skin lesions and tested via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. 

“PCR test results are positive for Monkeypox viral DNA,” the DOH said. 

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said the new case is currently still in isolation. 

“Three weeks ang recommended period of isolation. 21 days ‘yun, until mag-dry up ‘yung mga lesions sa balat,” he said. 

(The recommended period of isolation is three weeks. That's 21 days, until the lesions on the skin dry up.) 

Meanwhile, all the previous mpox cases in the country “were isolated, cared for, and have since recovered,” Herbosa said, pointing out that no one has died of mpox yet in the Philippines. 

Mode of transmission

Herbosa emphasized that anyone can get mpox through close and intimate contact with someone who is infected, through contaminated materials like used clothes or utensils, or through infected animals.

“Pero [but] soap and water will kill the virus,” he added. 

While there is no need to put up isolation facilities, the Health chief, however, underscored the need for home isolation for individuals who have symptoms or are positive with mpox. 

Handwashing is also important, Herbosa said, adding that there is no need to wear face masks. 

“Supportive care. ‘Yung sintomas mo ang ginagamot. Kapag nilalagnat sila, bibigyan sila ng paracetamol. Kung may makati sa kanila, anti-kati at aalagan ‘yung mga lesions nila,” Herbosa said. 

(Cases will be given supportive care. The symptoms will be treated. When cases have a fever, they will be given paracetamol. If they itch, they will be given anti-itch ointment and doctors will treat their lesions.) 

“Yung ibang doktor, puwedeng mag-prescribe ng antivaral na medication lalo na kung may comorbidity sila pero hindi lahat bibigyan. Kung healthy ka, magre-recover ka without problem,” he continued. 

(Other doctors can prescribe antiviral medication especially if cases have comorbidities, but not everyone will be given. If you are healthy, you will recover without problems.) 

Hospitals that can gather complete case data and specimens for confirmation of mpox include Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, San Lazaro Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, and the UP-Philippine General Hospital, among others.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), symptoms of mpox include skin rash or mucosal lesions, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

The WHO last week declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak of the viral infection in Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighboring countries.

The WHO in July 2022 declared mpox as a public health emergency of international concern and lifted it in May 2023.

A total of 38,465 cases of the disease have been reported in 16 African countries since January 2022, with 1,456 deaths.

There has been a 160 percent increase in cases this year compared to the previous year, according to data published last week by the health agency. —KBK, GMA Integrated News