DOH: Mpox may be gotten through sexual, non-sexual contacts

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said that mpox may be transmitted not only through non-sexual skin-to-skin contact, but also through sexual encounters with infected individuals.  

DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo made the explanation in an ambush interview, as health authorities continue to determine how the recent two mpox cases had gotten the virus. He said that three of the five currently active cases admitted to having sexual activities.

“Doon sa mga naunang active cases, ‘yung unang tatlo, established po ‘yung sexual contact. Dito sa ating pinaka-recent na dalawang active case, bini-verify pa natin. Pero ‘yung initial reports, it's non-sexual contact,” he told reporters.

(Sexual contact was established among the first three active cases. In the recent two active cases, it is still being verified. But based on initial reports, they had non-sexual contact.)

The DOH had cautioned that anyone can get mpox, and that the virus can be transmitted to humans through close and intimate contact with someone who is infectious, through contaminated materials like used clothes or utensils, or through infected animals.

READ: What is Mpox? Everything you need to know about the virus that is now global concern

On Wednesday, the agency announced that two more mpox cases were detected in the country this month—-the 13th case was a 26-year-old female from Metro Manila, while the 14th case was a 12-year-old male from Calabarzon.

While both had no travel history before their symptoms started, details were still being verified as to how close and intimate skin-to-skin contact may have taken place.

“Kunyari, ang ating batang lalaki, baka sa ano ‘to, sa paglalaro o baka sa ibang mga bagay, hindi natin masasabi. Pero wala naman po siyang mga close contacts na nagpa-positive for now. Tapos sa ating case number 13, ganun din po, tinatanong natin siya respectfully, dahil mahirap rin, maselan magtanong ng questions on sexual activity,” Domingo said.

(The male child may have gotten mpox when playing or through other things. But none of his close contacts have tested positive yet. As to the 13th case, we’re also respectfully asking her about her sexual activity.)

Infectious disease expert Dr. Benjamin Co last Thursday called on the public to be cautious in engaging in “reckless” sexual behaviors due to the threat of mpox, which he said is “more sexually transmitted.”

It could be recalled that the 10th case–the first detected this year—went to a derma clinic and an illegal spa in Quezon City where he had a sexual encounter. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News