All confirmed cases of monkeypox (Mpox) in the country are of the milder Clade II variant, not the more dangerous Clade I, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa said Friday, May 30.

“There are LGUs (local government units) reporting Mpox, but I have to declare, all of them are Mpox Clade II,” Herbosa told reporters in an ambush interview.

He clarified that Clade II does not pose the same threat as Clade I, the type that triggered a global public health emergency.

“Hindi ito ‘yung mpox na may public health emergency na may international concern. Ang Mpox Clade IB ang hinahanap namin. So wala pa kaming nakitang Mpox Clade IB sa Pilipinas (This is not the Mpox that has a public health emergency with international concern. We are on the lookout for Mpox Clade IB. So far, we haven’t detected Mpox Clade IB in the Philippines),” the DOH chief said.

According to Herbosa, Clade II is typically mild and resolves on its own.

“Iyong II, ano ‘yun, very mild, self-limiting at ang transmission niya, skin-to-skin contact, so very intimate contact so very important mag-isolate at kapag gumaling, hopefully, walang problema (Clade II is very mild, self-limiting, and transmitted through skin-to-skin contact—so very intimate contact. It’s very important to isolate, and once recovered, hopefully, there will be no problem),” he explained.

While the DOH has reported Mpox-related deaths, Herbosa clarified the fatalities were not caused by the virus itself.

“May mga cases tayong rineport na namatay pero hindi sila namatay from the Mpox, namatay sila advanced HIV (We reported cases of deaths, but they did not die from Mpox; they died from advanced HIV),” he added.

Per the World Health Organization (WHO), Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV).

It can lead to a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, sore throat, muscle and back pain, headache, and low energy.

The international health authority said that people recover in 2 to 4 weeks, but severe illness can occur, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

WHO said Mpox spreads mainly through close physical contact with someone who has symptoms. This includes skin-to-skin contact, sexual contact, kissing, or prolonged face-to-face interaction. It can also spread through contact with contaminated objects, such as clothing, bedding, or surfaces, and through needle injuries in healthcare or tattoo settings.

“People with multiple sexual partners are at higher risk of acquiring Mpox,” it said.

“People can also contract Mpox from contaminated objects such as clothing or linen, through needle injuries in health care, or in community settings such as tattoo parlours.”

It added that Mpox can also be transmitted from an infected parent to their baby during pregnancy or birth, which can lead to serious complications, including pregnancy loss or newborn death.

WHO said symptoms typically begin within 1 to 21 days after exposure and last 2 to 4 weeks. Common signs include a rash, often starting on the face or genitals before spreading, along with fever, sore throat, headache, muscle and back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.

The rash progresses from flat sores to fluid-filled blisters, which dry out and fall off as they heal, it added.