The Department of Health (DOH) assured that the latest Monkeypox (Mpox) case in the country is being effectively managed and pledged their readiness to address any potential spread of the disease.
"Nakahanda lang tayo, naka alert tayo," DOH Secretary Teddy Herbosa said during an exclusive interview with DZRH for Dos Por Dos on Wednesday.
Herbosa revealed that the recent Mpox case in the Philippines is the tenth recorded case since the declaration of a public health emergency in August 2022, up until May of the following year.
"Nakatala tayo ng siyam na kaso noon at ‘yung siyam na kaso na ‘yon, lahat ‘yon ay bumyahe at malamang nakuha nila ang Mpox nila sa ibang bansa," said Herbosa.
The most recent recorded Mpox case is the first instance in which the patient did not travel.
"Anong ibig sabihin n'on? Nandito ang virus ng Mpox," Herbosa stated.
This occurred after the World Health Organization (WHO) once again declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to an outbreak of the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Herbosa mentioned that DOH is currently conducting contact tracing for all close contacts of the recent patient. The agency has identified and monitored around 60 people.
The secretary also reported that all nine cases from 2023 and 2022 have fully recovered, with no recorded fatalities.
When asked about the steps to prevent Mpox cases in the country, Herbosa vowed to enhance monitoring by the Bureau of Quarantine under the DOH for countries identified with a number of cases.
He then urged Filipinos to increase their awareness and implement an honesty system, especially if they are coming from countries with existing cases.
"Nagkaroon ka ng close contact sa taong sabi nya may MPOX or hindi mo alam, parang sintomas ng MPOX. Dapat magdeklara ka sa aming Quarantine para maisolate ka namin at hindi dumami lalo na ‘yung bagong plague," Herbosa said.
"May electronic form kung saan magsasagot ang mga galing sa ibang bansa kung sila ba ay nakaranas ng mga sintomas, ito’y parang checklist. Magsasagot bago umalis at bago ang arrival," he added.
Herbosa also noted that a new virus strain called Mpox clade 1b is more infectious, with reports of deaths emerging from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Additionally, he mentioned that unlike COVID-19, which spreads through the air, Mpox is transmitted through close and intimate contact, such as skin-to-skin contact.
"Wala pang mandatory quarantine sa mga travelers na galing sa ibang bansa na mayroong kaso ng Mpox dahil wala pang outbreak sa Pilipinas," Herbosa concluded.
