THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday assured the public that the mpox situation is under control and that the country is not included in the World Health Organization (WHO) public health emergency of international concern.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said this is despite the increase in mpox cases in the country.
“There is a slight increase in cases in some local government units but this is not higher than last year. The number of cases we observed last year is still higher,” Herbosa told radio DZBB, though he did not give figures.
To address the increase, Herbosa said the DOH is ramping up its campaign to educate the public on the disease, as well as the treatment and isolation of those who contracted the virus to prevent its spread.
The DOH chief also did not identify the areas or localities where there are new mpox cases but said the disease is more of the Mild Clade II variant.
Under WHO guidelines, the Mild Clade II variant has a lower mortality rate than the Clade 1b variant, which is also more transmissible.
Herbosa said those who got infected with the Clade II variant could heal themselves as they are self-limiting.
The official added that the DOH is also in close coordination with the LGUs where there is a slight increase in mpox cases to help them curb the disease.
