MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) has warned of the community transmission of mpox (formerly monkeypox) following the detection of a new case in the Philippines on Monday.
Since the 33-year-old male case from Metro Manila has no history of travel abroad, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said, it only means that the mpox virus is already in the country.
Mpox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. A zoonotic disease, it is transmitted to humans from animals.
Mpox was first recorded among monkeys in 1958 and the first transmission of the virus to humans was recorded in 1970.
“We had nine cases noong 2023, pero pakonti-konti yung nate-test natin,” Herbosa said.
He added: “That means the mpox virus is already among us, hindi na siya imported. Warning siya to everybody… So community transmission ito.”
The symptoms of the mpox patient started more than a week ago with fever, which was followed by findings of a distinct rash on the face, back, nape, trunk, groin, as well as palms and soles.
He was in a government hospital when he was confirmed to be an mpox case on Sunday. Contract tracing is now ongoing.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said among the symptoms of mpox are skin rash or mucosal lesions, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
Last week, the WHO has declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak of the viral infection in Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighboring countries./PN
