2 new mpox cases found
(UPDATE) TWO new mpox cases have been detected in the country, bringing the total cases to 12, the Department of Health (DoH) reported on Monday.
The Health Department said the 11th case is a 37-year-old male from Metro Manila who exhibited symptoms starting August 20 — rashes on his face, arms, legs, thorax, palms and soles.
He had no known exposure to any person with similar symptoms «but admitted to close, intimate and skin-to-skin contact within 21 days before the start of his symptoms.»
The patient was admitted to a government hospital two days later and remains there. A skin sample was taken from him and subsequently tested at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
Meanwhile, the 12th case is a 32-year-old male, also from the National Capital Region, with symptoms that started manifesting on August 14.
The DoH said he noticed skin lesions or clear, fluid-filled vesicles in his groin area, followed by a fever a few days later.
He also admitted to close, intimate and skin-to-skin contact with one sexual partner.
AdvertisementHe was then advised to seek consultation at a DoH hospital, where a skin sample was taken on August 23. He was advised home isolation while awaiting results and has been staying at home since then.
Local government units where cases 11 and 12 are from have been informed and have the power and authority by law to disclose more detailed information, including response actions, at their discretion.
«We continue to see local transmission of mpox clade II here in the Philippines, in Metro Manila in particular. Mpox moves from skin to skin, both during sexual encounters and also other intimate forms of skin contact. It is not airborne,» Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.
«Avoid close, intimate, skin-to-skin contact so as not to get mpox. Wash hands with soap and water. Cover your skin. Our health system will continue to detect and protect,» he added.
AdvertisementCommon symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last two to four weeks. The rashes are accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
Anyone can get mpox. Mpox can be transmitted to humans through
