The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Monday, Aug. 19, the detection of one new mpox case in the Philippines.

This confirmation follows the World Health Organization's recent declaration of mpox, formerly known as “monkeypox,” as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

In a statement, the DOH reported that the new mpox case is the “10th laboratory-confirmed mpox case” in the country.

Reported to the DOH on Aug. 18, the latest case involves a 33-year-old male Filipino national with no travel history outside the Philippines but with close, intimate contact three weeks before the onset of symptoms.

The DOH said the symptoms began more than a week ago with fever, followed four days later by a distinct rash on the face, back, nape, trunk, groin, as well as the palms and soles.

“The case was seen in a government hospital, where specimens were collected from the skin lesions and tested via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test,” the DOH said. The PCR test results were positive for Monkeypox viral DNA, it added.

Understanding mpox

The DOH noted that common symptoms of mpox include a skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last two to four weeks.

“The rashes are accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes,” it added.

The DOH stressed that “anyone can get mpox.”

According to the DOH, the viral disease can be transmitted to humans through close, intimate contact with someone infectious, contaminated materials like used clothes or utensils, or infected animals.

“Soap and water can kill the virus,” the DOH said. “When washing contaminated materials, use gloves,” it added.

The DOH explained that laboratory confirmation of mpox is done by testing skin lesion material using PCR.

“Dermatologists and other physicians with a high index of suspicion are reminded to record the name and contact information of their patients and guide them to the nearest major hospital,” the DOH explained. “There, complete case data and specimens for confirmation shall be collected,” it added.

The list of hospitals includes the 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.

Dealing with mpox

The DOH noted that mpox is “treated with supportive care.”

“Patients with no other illnesses may stay at home after testing until all scabs fall off and a new layer of skin forms, typically after 2 to 4 weeks,” the health department said.

The DOH added that it is “updating” its mpox guidelines to allow this “convenient and dignified approach so that potential cases may be encouraged to seek consultation and testing.”

Preventing mpox

While anyone can get mpox, the DOH stressed that the disease can be avoided.

“We can avoid mpox,” DOH Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa said.

Herbosa explained that mpox is transmitted through close, intimate contact and also via materials used by people who have mpox.

“Keeping our hands clean with soap and water, or with alcohol-based sanitizers, will help,” he said.

The DOH, he added, will also make the testing process as convenient as possible so that suspect cases can be identified quickly and allowed to stay at home.

“Our health system is working. We can handle the situation and will keep the public well-informed,” he added.

Before this case, the last reported mpox case was found in December 2023. “All previous cases were isolated, cared for, and have since recovered,” the DOH added.

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