PH total cases of mpox at 52 - DOH

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippines recorded 52 cases of mpox in 2024, the Department of Health announced on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

There was one death of the 52 cases, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa told a media forum.

“In fact, ang kinamatay niya [the cause of death is] not related to mpox, if I remember right,” Herbosa said, without disclosing details.

The DOH logged 33 cases in the National Capital Region, 13 in Calabarzon, three in Central Luzon, two in Cagayan Valley, and one in Central Visayas.

“All of these 52, hindi sila epidemiologically linked… pag may nakuha kaming case, lahat ng contact tracing namin sa kanila, hindi nag-positive,” Herbosa said.

[Translation: All of these 52, they are not epidemiologically linked. When we get a case, our contact tracing would show none of the contacts tested positive.]

Majority of the total cases have recovered, said Herbosa.

Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and a rash that looks like blisters or sores. These skin lesions would be filled with water before turning to pus. Mpox is usually mild but can be fatal.

Recorded cases in the Philippines were caused by the “milder” type, clade II. Clade Ib was behind the World Health Organization’s highest alarm for mpox.

“Hindi kami masyadong takot dito, although may task force pa rin ako, mpox task force, monitoring it. But we’re not scared at all of the mpox,” the secretary said.

[Translation: We’re not afraid of the mpox, although the mpox task force is still monitoring it. But we’re not scare at all.]

Of the total, 47 were male. The age range was six months old to 66 years old.

Herbosa said around 30% of the identified mpox cases were people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

The monkeypox virus can spread through close and intimate or sexual contact with the infected person, through contact with contaminated materials like clothing and bedding, or through infected wild animals.

Herbosa said 71% of the total cases this year were men having sex with men. Some 19% denied having sexual activity.

The health chief said the Philippines has a share from Brunei of vaccines to fight mpox, coming from the ASEAN vaccine pool, but it’s restricted to those considered high risk, such as with concomitant illness and concomitant HIV.