DOH CONFIRMS 2 MPOX CASES IN DAVAO CITY

THE Department of Health in Davao Region (DOH-11) confirmed that there were two cases of mpox or monkey pox in Davao City.

However, the Davao City Health Office urged residents to be vigilant against false and unverified information circulating about the virus.

Based on data from the DOH-Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, the patients were admitted to the isolation facility at the Southern Philippines Medical Center.

One of the patients, who was severely immunocompromised, later died due to complications unrelated to mpox.

In a public advisory, DOH-11 urged Dabawenyos to “be prepared for the threat of mpox.” “Remember, prevention is better than cure,” it said.

According to the DOH, among the syptoms of mpox include skin rash or mucosal lesions lasting two to four weeks often accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

The DOH-11 reassured the public that the reported cases involve the same Clade II variant of the mpox virus seen previously.

“The level of risk remains the same as in previous months; there is no increased danger,” the agency clarified.

According to the DOH-11, the deceased patients’ death was attributed to non-mpox complications arising from their severely weakened immune system.

It added that all close contacts are being closely monitored to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Davao CHO assured that mpox response measures are effectively in place.