PH logs 3 new mpox cases

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippines has recorded three new mpox cases, the Health Department said on Sunday, Sept. 1.

Two of the fresh cases are in Metro Manila; the other one in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon). They all have the milder variant MPXV clade II.

They had no travel history 21 days before the onset of their symptoms. Cases 15 and 16 had anonymous sexual encounters with more than one partner, while case 17 had sexual contact with another person who had skin symptoms.

“Better and wider risk communication is working, and so is improved access to consultation and testing. Anyone can get Mpox, but it is crystal clear that the mode of transmission here is close, intimate, and skin-to-skin contact. Prevention is also clear: avoid intimate contact, especially anonymous ones with multiple sexual partners," Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a statement.

"We continue to be on guard for Mpox clade Ib. Our health system is active," he added.

Symptoms of mpox include rashes and lesions that can last up to a month. Patients may also experience fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

Latest cases

Case 15 is a 29-year-old male from Metro Manila. He had rashes, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle pain, and weakness. The symptoms began showing on Aug. 21, and he had fever a day after. He had one close contact.

Case 16 is a 34-year-old male from Metro Manila. He had rashes, blisters, cough, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes in his groin area. His symptoms started on Aug. 27. Contact tracing is underway.

Case 17 is a 29-year-old male from Calabarzon. On Aug. 19, he had a fever and developed rashes. He also experienced headache, muscle pain, and swollen neck lymph nodes. He had two household close contacts.

To date, there are eight active mpox cases. Since July 2022, there are 17 cases, nine have recovered since last year.