CHILD, WOMAN AMONG NEW MPOX PATIENTS IN PH, ACTIVE CASES RISE TO 5

THE Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday confirmed that there are now five active mpox cases in the Philippines after two more were added to the list of patients.

According to the DOH, one of the cases was discovered in Metro Manila and the other was in Calabarzon.  

The two new patients were a 26-year-old woman from Metro Manila and a 12-year-old male in Calabarzon.

Both patients have the milder Clade 2 variant and not the deadly strain sparking global alarm. 

The female patient’s symptoms started August 20 with rashes on her face and back accompanied by fever.

The Health Department said that on August 23,  the woman reported additional rashes in her pubic area, arms, and trunk. She also developed sore throat and swollen neck lymph nodes.

She is now on home isolation. 

The two patients did not travel anytime three weeks before the symptoms started.

According to the DOH, the two new patients are recovering at home and are being monitored by local health authorities. 

There have been 14 cases of mpox in the country since July 2022, nine of whom have long recovered since 2023.

Five mpox patients are waiting for their symptoms to resolve. 

The Health Department said that anyone can get mpox.  It said that mpox 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.

The DOH reminded the public that soap and water can kill the virus.