DOH: 1st mpox case this year recorded

MANILA, Philippines — Days after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, a case of the viral disease was detected in the country on Sunday, the first for this year and 10th since 2022.

“The (new) case was detected last Aug. 18. This is a 33-year-old male, Filipino, from the National Capital Region, and has no travel history from Africa or any other country. This means he had close and intimate contact before symptoms started coming out more than a week ago,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said at a briefing yesterday.

The mpox outbreak in Africa prompted the WHO to declare mpox a global health concern last Wednesday.

In the Philippines, the nine previous cases recovered after being isolated and treated.

Herbosa noted that mpox symptoms include distinct rashes in the face, nape, chest, body, at the back, abdomen, groin, palms and soles of the feet.

“The rashes can last up to two to four weeks. It is accompanied by fever, headache, muscle pain, low energy, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes (kulani). Anyone can get mpox. Its transmission is through intimate or close contact so anyone who is infectious can contaminate (others),” the health chief explained.

Herbosa said the latest patient is still confined and in isolation at a government hospital.

“He was admitted as a suspect case last week and when the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) results from the RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine) came out, he was positive for the mpox viral DNA,” he added.

Herbosa said the patient had no record of travel outside the country in the past few weeks. “This is community transmission. Another Filipino could have infected him or through contact with a foreigner. So we’re doing contact tracing to know where he got the virus,” he added.

The DOH also warned that contamination could come from materials like clothes and utensils being used by an infected individual.

“So very important is handwashing. Soap with water can kill the virus. If you touched or came in contact with an infected person or things used by a person with mpox, handwashing will kill the bacteria. No need for face mask,” Herbosa said.

For caregivers of mpox patients, Herbosa advised them to use protective gear or equipment. “As long as they use protective equipment like (medical) gloves, the risk for infection is very low,” he said.

The DOH also reminded dermatologists and other physicians dealing with suspected cases to record the name and contact information of their patients and guide them to the nearest major hospital where complete case data and specimens for confirmation can be collected.

Such hospitals include 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.

He also recommended that those experiencing symptoms should consult a dermatologist first and not rush to hospital for emergency treatment.

Herbosa said mpox is treated with supportive care. “Mpox is a viral illness that is self limiting like dengue. You will recover over a period of time,” he added.           

“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 two to four weeks,” Herbosa pointed out.

The health official likewise said the DOH is now updating its mpox guidelines “to allow for this convenient and dignified approach so that potential cases may be encouraged to seek consultation and testing.”