A 33-YEAR-OLD male from the National Capital Region (NCR) became the first mpox case in the Philippines this year, and since the declaration last week by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the disease formerly known as monkeypox as a global public health emergency.
A new form of the virus has triggered global concern as it seems to spread easily though routine close contact.
In the first sign of its spread outside Africa, a case of the new variant was confirmed on Thursday in Sweden and linked to the growing outbreak in the continent. On Friday, Pakistan confirmed at least one case of the mpox virus in a patient who had returned from a Gulf country, but said they did not yet know the strain of the virus.
The disease, caused by the monkeypox virus, leads to flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. It is usually mild but can kill, with children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, all at higher risk of complications.
The outbreak in Congo began with the spread of an endemic strain, known as clade I. But a new variant, clade Ib, appears to spread more easily through routine close contact, including sexual contact.
It has spread from Congo to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, triggering the action from the WHO.
The latest case of mpox in the Philippines is the 10th, with the ninth detected in December last year.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, in a press conference, said the latest case was detected and confirmed on August 18.
“The case was seen in a government hospital, where specimens were collected from the skin lesions and tested via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test,” he said.
“PCR test results are positive for monkeypox viral DNA,” he added.
Herbosa said the patient is a Filipino with no travel history outside the Philippines but had close, intimate contact three weeks before showing symptoms.
Herbosa said the symptoms started more than a week ago with fever, which was followed four days later by findings of a distinct rash on the face, back, nape, trunk, groin, as well as palms and soles.
The previous cases, Herbosa also said, “were isolated, cared for, and have since recovered.”
Herbosa said tracing is ongoing for those who have had close contact with the 10th patient.
“He didn’t travel. So there is community transmission… The virus is here already,” he said.
Herbosa said one of the angles they are looking into is his exposure to travelers.
“Based on the occupation of the individual, he has had contact with foreign people,” he said.
DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo said they have yet to determine the strain that affected the latest patient.
“We are awaiting sequencing results and will update once available,” he said.
The outbreak in Congo began with the spread of an endemic strain, known as clade I. But a new variant, clade Ib, appears to spread more easily through routine close contact, including sexual contact.
It has spread from Congo to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, triggering the action from the WHO.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
With the mpox virus already in the country, Herbosa said they do not see the need to impose travel restrictions.
“Border control is already immaterial since it is here. We have had 10 cases already,” he said.
Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus. It can be transmitted to humans through close, intimate contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials like used clothes or utensils, or with infected animals.
Common symptoms of mpox are skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last two to four weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
Herbosa said mpox is self-limiting or gets better without any specific treatment, although supportive care is provided to patients.
He said patients with no other illnesses may stay at home after testing, get isolated until all scabs fall off and a new layer of skin forms, which typically last for two to four weeks.
Herbosa said the public is advised to always keep their hands clean with soap and water, or with alcohol-based sanitizers. — With Reuters
