Potential mpox case in Samar being monitored —DOH

Health authorities are on the watch for a potential case of mpox in Northern Samar, according to a "24 Oras" report by Maki Pulido.

This, as two additional mpox cases were detected in the country, bringing the total cases to 12, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

The potential new case is being monitored in a hospital in the Samar province, the report said.

"Now with heightened awareness and increased detection by our dermatologists and other primary care provider nakikita natin ngayon ating cases na most likely [nandiyan] sa paligid," Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson Albert Domingo said.

The DOH said it receives reports of five to 10 suspect mpox cases a day, but it does not release information until the laboratory tests are completed.

Common symptoms of mpox include a skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last 2–4 weeks. The rashes are accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. 

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

The public was thus advised to use soap and water to kill the virus, and to use gloves when washing contaminated materials. 

"Intimate contact kapag nagyakapan, naghalikan or nakipagtalik ayun prolonged 'yan which means it becomes medium to high risk especially since hindi nakikita ng pasyente ang buong katawan nila maaaring sa harapan wala nakikitang butlig pero 'yun pala sa likod o sa bandang ari ay mayroon,"  Domingo said.

'Pag nagkaroon ng sexual contact na prolonged high risk na 'yun," he added.

The World Health Organization said Congo will be prioritized in the distribution of the vaccine amid the outbreak of the illness in the said country.

The Philippines has requested 2,000 doses of the vaccine mainly for frontliners like dermatologists, and then for key population to be determined by the DOH. —LDF, GMA Integrated News