The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday, Aug. 25 issued a clarification on its reporting protocols, following an advisory from the Provincial Health Office of Northern Samar about a suspected mpox case.

The provincial advisory concerns a 24-year-old male with symptoms of fever, body weakness, and vesicular rashes, who is isolated at Northern Samar Provincial Hospital (NSPH) awaiting confirmatory test results for mpox.

The DOH reiterated its support to local government units’ authority to communicate and manage potential outbreaks within their areas, as long as such declarations are based on “sufficient scientific evidence.”

It pointed out that several skin conditions, such as chickenpox, shingles, and herpes, can present similarly to mpox, making accurate testing crucial.

Since the first case of mpox was detected in July 2022, the DOH said it has followed a policy of disclosing cases only after PCR (polymerase chain reaction) verification to ensure accuracy and prevent unnecessary panic.

“We defer to local government units on their risk communication approach, knowing that they have the power to declare disease outbreaks within their respective localities, provided that such is supported by sufficient scientific evidence (Sec. 7, RA 11332),” the DOH said.

It also urged the media and the public to prioritize accurate information and avoid spreading unverified details.

“We invite colleagues in [the] media to please balance the need to report fast with the need to be scientifically accurate so that anxiety will not be unnecessarily induced,” it said.

Moreover, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said the 10th confirmed mpox case in the Philippines is continuing recovery in a government hospital.

In accordance with patient privacy laws, he said the DOH cannot disclose any additional conditions affecting Case 10.

Domingo reiterated that mpox patients can recover at home unless they have additional conditions requiring hospital admission.