DOH detects 2 more mpox cases in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Two more mpox cases have been detected in Metro Manila, bringing the total case count to 12, the Department of Health reported yesterday.

The DOH said the 11th mpox case is a 37-year-old male from the National Capital Region, who manifested symptoms starting Aug. 20.

“A distinct rash appeared on his face, arms, legs, thorax, palms and soles,” the DOH said.

Initial investigation showed that case 11 had no known exposure to any person with similar symptoms, but admitted to close, intimate and skin-to-skin contact within 21 days before the start of his symptoms.

The patient was admitted to a government hospital on Aug. 22. A skin sample was taken from him and tested at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

The patient remains confined in the hospital.

The DOH said the 12th mpox case is a 32-year-old male also from Metro Manila.

His symptoms, including skin lesions in his groin area, started on Aug. 14. He had fever after a few days.

The patient also admitted to close, intimate and skin-to-skin contact with a sexual partner.

Due to persistent symptoms, he sought consultation at an outpatient clinic and was initially managed as a case of bacterial infection.

After a few days, he started having pimple-like lesions on his face, forehead and scalp.

The patient was advised to seek consultation at a DOH hospital where a skin sample was taken on Aug. 23.

He has been isolated at home while waiting for laboratory results.

Milder mpox

The DOH assured the public that the new cases of mpox are MPXV Clade II variant, which is a milder form of the virus.

It has a reported mortality rate of less than one to four percent. The variant caused the 2022 mpox global outbreak, the DOH said.

“Transmission dynamics for the two new cases are consistent with earlier warnings: close and intimate, skin-to-skin contact,” the DOH said.

Of the 12 mpox cases detected since July 2022, nine have recovered while the remaining three are “active cases waiting for symptoms to resolve.”

The DOH has reported the 10th case, a 33-year-old male from Metro Manila, who became the first mpox case in the country this year. He had no travel history outside the Philippines.

He was admitted in a government hospital on Aug. 15.

“We continue to see local transmission of mpox Clade II variant, particularly in Metro Manila. Mpox moves skin-to-skin, both during sexual encounters and also through other intimate forms of skin contact. It is not airborne,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

He advised the public to avoid close, intimate, skin-to-skin contact so as not to get mpox.

“Wash hands with soap and water. Cover your skin. Our health system will continue to detect and protect,” Herbosa said.

Mpox is a viral disease that can be transmitted to humans through close, intimate contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials such as used clothes and utensils.

Common symptoms of mpox are skin rashes or mucosal lesions, which can last up to four weeks. The rashes are accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

The DOH, however, said there are other skin diseases that may be confused with mpox, such as chickenpox, shingles or herpes.