DOH reports 1st Mpox case in Philippines this year

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has detected the first case of mpox (formerly monkeypox) in the Philippines for this year, following heightened surveillance due to the recent declaration by the World Health Organization of mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

According to DOH in a statement, the first mpox case for this year was reported to the DOH on August 18, 2024, but is already the 10th laboratory-confirmed case in the country.

The recent case is a 33-year-old male Filipino national with no travel history outside the Philippines, but with close, intimate contact three weeks before symptoms showed.

“Symptoms started more than a week ago with fever, which was followed four days later by findings of a distinct rash on the face, back, nape, trunk, groin, as well as palms and soles. The case was seen in a government hospital, where specimens were collected from the skin lesions and tested via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. PCR test results are positive for Monkeypox viral DNA,” the health department said.

Prior to this, the last case was reported in December 2023. All previous cases were isolated, cared for, and patients have since recovered.

With the recent case reported, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has ordered the ramping up of testing centers, including in Cebu for the early detection and prevention control on the said communicable disease.

Herbosa, in a press conference yesterday, said having a border control against mpox would just be impractical.

“Immaterial to have border control…kasi nandito na eh. We have 10 cases already and this one with no history of travel,” Herbosa said.

“Hindi practical to do (border control). Pahihirapan mo lang yung travelers,” Herbosa added.

No mpox-reported deaths have been recorded in the Philippines, but there have been a few deaths in Africa due to the disease.

Those who died reportedly had co-morbidities, like HIV and some other illnesses.

Herbosa stressed that mpox is not as scary as Covid-19 as the virus spreads only through intimate or close contact and is not airborne.

Nonetheless, Herbosa said he has instructed for heightened surveillance to prevent the disease from spreading.

“Pinapa increase ko yung testing…lahat ng taong gustong magpa-test,” Sec.Herbosa said.

Doctors' re-education regarding the disease is also being done, said Herbosa, and more hospitals all over the country are available and functional to check on those suspected with mpox.

For Cebu, one can go to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) for testing.

“Ini-increase ko para all over the country pwedeng ma testing ng mga doctor,” Herbosa said.

According to DOH, mpox symptoms typically include a rash or mucosal lesions lasting two to four weeks, along with fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

The virus spreads through close contact with an infected person, contaminated materials, or infected animals.

“Soap and water can kill the virus. When washing contaminated materials, use gloves,” DOH advised, adding that laboratory confirmation of mpox is done by testing skin lesion material by PCR.

Dermatologists and other physicians who are entertaining high index of suspicion are reminded to record the name and contact information of their patients and guide them to the nearest major hospital.

“Their complete case data and specimens for confirmation shall be collected,” DOH said.

The list of hospitals includes the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, San Lazaro Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, and the UP-Philippine General Hospital, among others.

DOH said  that mpox is treated with supportive care as patient with no other illnesses may stay at home after testing, until all scabs fall off and a new layer of skin forms, typically after two  to four weeks.

DOH further said that they are updating its mpox guidelines to allow for this convenient and dignified approach so that potential cases may be encouraged to seek consultation and testing.

“We can avoid mpox. Mpox is transmitted through close, intimate contact, and also the materials used by people who have mpox. Keeping our hands clean with soap and water, or with alcohol-based sanitizers will help,” stressed Herbosa.

Herbosa added that DOH will make the testing process as convenient as possible, so that suspect cases may be identified fast and allowed to stay at home.

“Our health system is working. We can handle the situation, and will keep the public well-informed,” the health secretary assured. —/ATO (FREEMAN)