No death from mpox, says DOH

THE Department of Health yesterday said a 27-year-old male from Negros Oriental did not die from Mpox, previously known as monkeypox.

“There are no patients who died from Mpox, in any region in the country,” DOH spokesman Albert Domingo said in a statement following reports that the DOH Central Visayas is probing the death of the patient suspected of having monkeypox, who sought treatment on May 29 and died on June 2.

The DOH did not state the cause of death.

Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus and can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious or with contaminated materials.

Domingo said Mpox has symptoms similar to chickenpox, shingles, and herpes, particularly skin rash or mucosal lesions.

“Without any confirmed results, it is best to respect the privacy of the patient as their condition may be something else,” said the health official.

“Always wait for the official statement of the DOH and avoid issuing unverified information,” added Domingo.