The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed the first case of Mpox, often known as monkeypox, in the Philippines after the disease was declared a global public health emergency.
The DOH stated that the most recent Mpox case was reported to the organization last week, confirming the country's 10th case overall. It is the first reported case since December 2023.
Following a surge in the Mpox outbreak in Africa, increased government surveillance led to the discovery of the new case.
First patient
According to the DOH, the patient is a male Filipino, age 33, "with no travel history outside the Philippines but with close, intimate contact three weeks before symptom onset."
Humans can contract Mpox by having close contact with an infectious person, coming into contact with contaminated objects like soiled clothes or cutlery, or coming into contact with sick animals.
Per the DOH, the patient had a fever that began over a week ago. He got a noticeable rash on his face, back, nape, trunk, and crotch four days later, along with palms and soles, the agency reported.
Using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, positive results for monkeypox virus DNA were discovered by examining the skin lesions that were taken from the patient.
Potential increase in numbers
Since there is still a global public health emergency declared, the DOH expects a rise in Mpox cases, and they also note that the predicted reproductive number (R0) will be much lower than that of COVID-19.
Using soap to wash contaminated things and keeping hands clean will help eliminate the virus.
Supportive care should be given to patients with Mpox, and recovery usually takes two to four weeks.
According to the DOH, they are revising its Mpox guidelines to enable a more practical and credible method, urging anyone who may be in danger to get tested and advice.
