Mpox cases in PH rise to 15 — DOH

One more individual tested positive for monkeypox or mpox in the country, which brings the number of active cases nationwide to 15, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

However, the DOH did not close the profile of the latest mpox patient due to privacy concerns. 

Of the 15 cases, 11 are from the National Capital Region, three in Calabarzon, and one in Cagayan Valley. 

Meanwhile, 14 are male patients while one is a female. 

The DOH reiterated that the number of mpox cases is not alarming because the virus causing the disease is not airborne. 

“This is not alarming unlike po yung COVID-19, kasi hindi naman airborne, hindi naman nandiyan lang sa hangin. This one is skin-to-skin, close intimate contact ang kanyang mode of transmission,” said Health Undersecretary Gloria Balboa in a press conference.  

(This is not alarming unlike COVID-19, because this is not airborne, you cannot be infected through air. This one can be transmitted through skin-to-skin, close intimate contact.) 

All the confirmed mpox cases in the Philippines tested for Clade II, which is a milder form of the virus.  Clade Ib, on the other hand, is a newer strain of the mpox virus that is circulating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its neighboring countries. 

The mpox virus can be transmitted through intimate, skin-to-skin contact. One can also be infected through contact with contaminated objects.

Health experts advise the public to observe the following guidelines:

• Avoid close and intimate, skin-to-skin contact such as sexual contact, kissing, hugging, and cuddling with individuals who are suspect, probable, or confirmed cases of mpox. If contact is unavoidable due to the need for care, caregivers must adhere to proper prevention and control measures, including the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE);
• Observe frequent and proper hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub or hand-washing whenever hands are soiled or contaminated;
• Ensure the objects and surfaces suspected of being contaminated with the virus, or handled by and infectious person, are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected;
• Avoid contact with animals, particularly mammals, that may carry the virus, including sick or deceased animals found in areas where mpox is present.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila Council president and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora proposes a massive information drive about the disease. 

“Patawag na tayo mga mayors ng town hall meetings kung saan nandoon ang ating mga barangay officials, kagawad, barangay health workers at ating city health officers, para lang po malaman ng ating mga mamamayan,” he said in the press conference. 

(Mayors should call for town hall meetings to be attended by our barangay officials, kagawad, barangay health workers, and city health officers, so the public will be informed as well.) 

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa earlier encouraged the public to avail of the free mpox testing in government hospitals.  — BAP, GMA Integrated News