Last August, the World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency. ARCHIVE

Monkeypox (mpox) virus cases in the Philippines have increased to a total of 18 individuals since August 2024, the country's Department of Health (DOH) announced on Monday (September 17). Five of them have already recovered and were released from isolation while 13 remain active. The country's Health Secretary Ted Harbosa said that the authority recorded three new cases, all male and came from Calabarzon and Metro Manila. "The good thing is, all of the 18 cases that we have picked up as of now, have not infected anyone. So very good, they have no so-called epidemiological link. This means once we isolate them, the transmission of the disease stops," Harbosa said in a press conference. The Philippines is set to receive 2, 500 doses of mpox vaccines in the next months. However, Herbosa emphasized that vaccines are not essential in addressing the rise of mpox cases in the Philippines, highlighting the importance of "cleanliness." "As you can see, mpox is very easy to control. I don't need a vaccine to control it. Good public health, what we call prevention, detection, isolation, prevents its spread," “In fact, this vaccine will only help those at high risk of dying. It should be given only to people with HIV or other concomitant illnesses,” he added. Last August, the World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years after an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighbouring countries. Mpox mainly spreads through close contact between people and sometimes through objects or surfaces touched by someone with mpox. In areas where the virus is in wild animals, it can also spread from infected animals to people who come into contact with them. Common symptoms include a rash that lasts 2–4 weeks and may start with fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, and swollen glands. The rash, which looks like blisters or sores, can appear on the face, hands, feet, groin, genitals, and might also be found in the mouth, throat, or eyes. FLE/Expat Media
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