ILOILO City — So far, there are no cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, in Western Visayas, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Still, it emphasized the importance of public vigilance and adherence to health measures.
“It is vital for the public to remain observant,” said Dr. Ma Sophia Pulmones, officer-in-charge of DOH Region 6, following reports of five active mpox cases in the country.
Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease that exhibits symptoms including skin rashes or mucosal lesions lasting from two to four weeks, potentially accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
To date, the country has logged a total of 14 mpox cases since July 14, 2022. The fourth case, detected in August 2022, was reportedly a 25-year-old male from Iloilo Province with no documented travel history to or from any country with confirmed cases of the disease.
There was no confirmation or denial from DOH back then but local radio stations in Iloilo City reported that the fourth case in 2022 was a native of Carles, Iloilo and was confined at the Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City.
Mpox transmission can occur through close contact such as skin-to-skin contact, touching contaminated materials like bedding or clothing, or via infected animals.
During pregnancy, the virus can be transmitted to the fetus or newborn. Individuals remain infectious until all sores have healed completely.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently identified mpox as a public health emergency.
To prevent the mpox spread, DOH-6 advised respiratory etiquette, proper hand-washing, good airflow in living spaces, and avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals.
Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, head of the Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease (EREID) unit at DOH-6, also confirmed no pending samples awaiting results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Metro Manila. This follows intensified disease surveillance efforts by the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) and local units.
DOH said mpox cases in the Philippines from 2022 to 2023 were caused by clade 2b of the virus. Natalaray noted the lower fatality rate of clade 2, under one percent, compared to the 10 percent fatality rate of clade 1, predominant in Africa and Congo.
Health facilities are urged to report any cases exhibiting mpox-like rashes, and suspected cases are advised to isolate for at least 21 days or until symptoms resolve, as directed by their attending physicians./PN
