THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) assured of no increased danger following the two reported cases of Mpox, which are similar to the same Clade II variant of the MPX virus.
Meanwhile, the Department clarified that the fatality reported did not succumb to death to Mpox itself.
“The said patient was in a severely immunocompromised state and is likely to have died of non-Mpox complications,” DOH in a press release.
The City Health Office is closely monitoring all identified close contacts, and established response measures and protocols for Mpox are currently being implemented.
On April 16, the CHO confirmed the two patients were admitted and isolated at the Southern Philippines Medical Center.
Common symptoms of Mpox include 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.
It can be transmitted to humans through close, intimate (including sexual) contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials like used clothes or utensils, or with infected animals.
Soap and water can kill the virus. However, it is advisable to use gloves when washing contaminated materials.
DOH added that patients with no other illnesses may stay at home after testing, until all scabs fall off and a new layer of skin forms, typically after 2-4 weeks.
