DOH sees rise in Mpox cases

MANILA, Philippines — Mpox cases in the country are expected to increase after the Department of Health (DOH) reported six new cases yesterday, bringing the total number of cases this year to 14.

At a press briefing, DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said the rise in cases is expected because of the increase in tests being conducted.

Earlier, the DOH reported eight active mpox cases that included six males from the National Capital Region, one female also from the NCR and a 12-year-old boy.

Meanwhile, the six new cases (in the 25 to 33 age group) are all males who had sexual encounters: four from the NCR, and one each from Calabarzon and Cagayan Valley.

According to the DOH, the country has recorded a total of 23 mpox cases since July 2022.

“This started when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. All of these are under the Clade II variant, which is the milder form of mpox,” said Herbosa.

He added, “This is very manageable. No need to be scared. DOH is on top of the situation... In fact, all of the 23 (cases), they didn’t infect additional persons. Isolation was implemented.”

The close contacts of the cases tested negative and none of them were hospitalized. “It’s a self-limiting disease,” Herbosa said.

The DOH has allocated P156 million for mpox response.

“Initial cost for the next three months will be sourced from public health funds. That would be P156 million for prevention, adetection, isolation, treatment and rehabilitation. It is the same principle we are using for all infectious diseases… this includes prevention measures, meeting with influencers, providing test kits and laboratory training for medical technologists,” Herbosa explained.

He said all mpox testing conducted by government hospitals will be offered for free at the moment.