DOH logs 3 new mpox cases

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Health has recorded three more cases of mpox bringing to eight the total active cases of the infectious disease in the country.

“Surveillance systems report three more confirmed mpox cases - two in Metro Manila, and another in the CALABARZON region,” the DOH reported Sunday.

According to DOH, two of the new cases had anonymous sexual encounters with more than one partner, while the other had close, skin-to-skin sexual contact with another person who had skin symptoms.

“Findings indicate that the transmission dynamics of clade II, which is milder, still hold true: close, intimate, and skin-to-skin contact.”

The three new cases pushed to 17 the total count of mpox cases since July 2022. Of the total cases, nine have long recovered since 2023 while active cases are waiting for symptoms to resolve.

The DOH said that one of the new cases is a 29-year-old male from National Capital Region (NCR) whose symptoms started last August 21. He had one close contact and did not travel within 21 days before the start of symptoms

The other patient from NCR is a 34-year-old male whose symptoms started last August 27. He did not travel anytime 21 days before symptoms began, but had sexual contact with three partners. Contact tracing is ongoing.

The patient from CALABARZON is a 29-year-old male who started having a fever on August 19. He did not travel within 21 days before the start of symptoms and had close intimate contact with one sexual partner who may have had the same skin symptoms. He has two household close contacts.

"Anyone can get mpox, but it is crystal clear that the mode of transmission here is close, intimate, and skin-to-skin contact,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

 “Prevention is also clear: avoid intimate contact, especially anonymous ones with multiple sexual partners," he added. (CEBU NEWS)