Subject to confirmatory tests: Five ‘mpox cases’

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) Central Visayas has disclosed that there are five suspected cases of mpox in the region, although clarified that these are not confirmed cases yet.

Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal, regional epidemiologist of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit-DOH-7 in a virtual press conference yesterday, said that these five mpox suspected cases are still subject for a confirmatory test at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

She said it would take one to two weeks, or around the second week of September, to determine the result whether it's negative or positive of mpox.

Cañal said of the five cases, she can only confirm information of the four: two males and two females, ages 18 to 80 years with no travel history outside the country.

On August 28, 2024, DOH surveillance systems reported two more confirmed mpox cases - one in Metro Manila, and another in the CaLaBaRzon region. Both have the milder MPXV clade II.

With the additional two, total case count in the Philippines is at 14 since July 2022. Nine cases have long recovered since 2023. Five are active cases waiting for symptoms to resolve.

Initial investigation is consistent with earlier findings of local transmission of clade II. Details are being verified as to how close and intimate, skin-to-skin contact may have taken place.

According to DOH, mpox case 13 is a 26-year-old female from NCR whose symptoms started August 20, 2024. She noticed rashes on her face and back accompanied by fever. One day later, she consulted at an outpatient clinic, which advised her to undergo home isolation.

On August 23, she followed-up by phone call, describing additional rashes in her pubic area, arms, and trunk. She also developed sore throat and swollen neck lymph nodes. Exact circumstances of sample collection and the mechanism of close, intimate, and skin-to-skin contact are still being determined. She did not travel anytime three weeks before her symptoms started and also did not go around even as she had symptoms.

She later tested positive for MPXV DNA, clade II. Two close contacts have been identified and notified, but they do not have symptoms. She continues to recover at home, under close and continuing monitoring by local health authorities.

Mpox case 14 is a 12-year-old male from the CaLaBaRzon region. His symptoms started August 10, 2024 with fever. He also developed rashes mainly on the face, legs, trunk and pubic area extending to other parts of the body. He also had a cough and swollen lymph nodes at the groin area.

He also had no history of travel anytime three weeks before the start of symptoms. He later tested positive for MPXV DNA, clade II and continues to recover at home, under close and continuing monitoring by local health authorities.

“Heightened surveillance leads to a flashlight effect - our people become more aware and we detect more cases. All are the milder MPXV clade II. The situation strengthens our health system - we can find, test, and treat mpox. We will be ready should clade Ib get here,” said DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.

Further, Cañas also urges netizens to be responsible in their social media postings about this infectious disease in order not to sow panic in the community.

Mpox is described as an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus.

It is primarily transmitted through direct contact with skin or mucosal lesions of an infected person, which can occur through talking, breathing, kissing, touching, hugging, or sexual intercourse.

Transmission can also occur via respiratory secretions or contact with contaminated objects such as bedding, clothing, or linens.

Common symptoms include fever, rash, headache, muscle ache, and swelling of lymph nodes.

To prevent infection, the department advised individuals to practice frequent handwashing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, observe proper respiratory etiquette by covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, ensure good airflow in indoor spaces, and avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms of Mpox.

Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last 2–4 weeks. The rashes are accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. – ATO (CEBU NEWS)