PH DETECTS FIRST MPOX CASE FOR 2024

THE Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported that a first case of mpox formerly known as monkeypox has been recorded in the country for this year.

According to the DOH, it received information on a newly-recorded mpox case on August 18 – the first this year.

This raised the overall logged cases nationwide to 10.

The country’s last recorded mpox case was in December 2023. All previous mpox patients recovered.

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

“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 DOH said.

The DOH did not specify the exact location where the new mpox case was recorded but noted that it was in a government hospital where specimens were collected from skin lesions and examined via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

The DOH said mpox can be transmitted to humans through close or intimate contact with someone who is infectious, contaminated materials like used clothes or utensils, or infected animals.

Among the symptoms of mpox include skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last two to four weeks, as well as fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

“Soap and water can kill the virus. When washing contaminated materials, use gloves,” the DOH reminded the public.

“DOH will make the testing process as convenient as possible, so that suspected cases may be identified fast and allowed to stay at home,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.

“Our health system is working. We can handle the situation, and will keep the public well-informed,” he added.