An expert has warned the public of a notable increase in Mpox (formerly called monkeypox) infections after a number of cases were logged in several provinces in Visayas and Mindanao, and likewise called attention to the cases of Glanders disease, which have been detected in the country.
Dr. Rontgene Solante, an infectious disease expert from the San Lazaro Hospital, confirmed that cases have emerged in regions that previously had none, reported Dustin Bayog of DZRH TV.
“Sabihin natin pagtaas dahil wala naman silang mga reported cases before. So naka-dalawang kaso ka, that’s already a significant number of cases,” he explained, speaking to DZRH.
“Kasi yung mga kaso natin kadalasan, so far, for the past three years, dito ‘yun sa National Capital Region,” he added.
(We can say there has been an increase because they really did not have reported cases before. So, when you have two cases, that’s already a significant number. Because our cases often—for the past three years—have been limited to the National Capital Region.)
Some places with confirmed cases are the following:
VISAYAS
- Iloilo province
- Iloilo City
MINDANAO
- SOCCSKSARGEN
- BARMM
- Zamboanga Peninsula
Dr. Solante theorized that the virus may have been spread by Mpox carriers from Manila who had travelled home to their provinces and engaged in sexual activities with partners residing there.
“‘Yung nature kasi ng transmission, it’s mostly among males who have sexual, close contact. Kagaya ng mga babae or lalaki, and ito ‘yung mga kaso nating nakikita majority of the time. Like, when I say majority, 90 percent, mga nakikita natin dito sa NCR,” he said.
“(Sa palagay ko), baka mayroon din silang (carriers) mga ganitong partners na infected from here (Manila) and then umuuwi sa probinsya. And then they also have partners there in those areas, so talagang hindi natin mapigilan. Mayroon talagang cycle of transmission,” he explained.
(Due to the nature of the transmission, cases are mostly among males who have sexual, close contact. Woman or man, this is the case we see the majority of the time. When I say majority, I mean 90 percent of cases we see here in the NCR. I believe the virus carriers have partners who are infected in Manila, and then they go home to the province. And they also have partners in those areas—so we really cannot stop it. There’s a cycle of transmission.)
Mpox can be contracted through direct and close contact, such as during sexual intercourse and embraces. It can also be transmitted while talking, through contact with respiratory droplets from infected persons.
Early symptoms of an Mpox infection include fever, headaches, loss of appetite, and the appearance of lesions on the body, Dr. Solante said, and to avoid catching the virus, one must always wash their hands.
In addition, he said that Glanders disease, which comes from livestock like goats and carabaos, has six recorded cases in the country, and claimed two lives.
“Ang glanders kasi, mataas ang fatality rate nito. Kumbaga mataas ang mortality kung hindi ito maagapan. Puwedeng ma-involve ang brain, puwedeng ma-involve ang lungs,” he said.
(Glanders has a high fatality rate. Mortality is high if it is not treated early on. The brain may be affected, the lungs may be affected.)
Despite being a rare disease, the medical expert advised against slaughtering and eating dead animals, which may result in contracting the disease.
At present, the Department of Health (DOH) Offices are diligently monitoring and conducting information campaigns concerning the two diseases in order to prevent an outbreak in provinces.
