Report by By Joaquin Umali
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recognized MPOX as a public health emergency of international concern according to the International Health Regulations (2005), last August 14.
First recorded in Africa, Dr. Ghebreyesus expressed concern with the outbreak and its rapid spread, calling for immediate coordination to end it.
“This is very worrying… The emergence of Clade I of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the reporting of cases in several neighboring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” said Dr. Ghebreyesus.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) reported its first mpox cases on Sunday, August 18, 2024, identifying the patient as a 33-year-old male Filipino national with no travel history, but has been monitored with close intimate contacts three weeks before recorded symptoms.
In a press conference, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte confirmed that the first mpox patient this year visited two establishments in the city where he had close contacts. Belmonte also clarified that the patient is not a resident of the city.
“Batay sa aming imbestigasyon, the 33-year-old patient ay nagtungo sa dalawa nating establishimento. So, this 33-year-old patient, sa amin pong pagkaalam ay hindi po mula sa Quezon City…however, he patronized two of our establishments; isang dermatology clinic kung saan siya nagpatingin, at isang massage spa,” said Mayor Belmonte.
“Noong August 15, nagpakonsulta ang pasiyente na mayroon siyang skin diseases na napansin…nang makita ito ng doktor, agad siyang nakipag-coordinate sa barangay para mai-transport ang pasiyente para makuhanan ng specimen. Noong Linggo, August 18, lumabas na positive ang specimen at positive siya for MPOX, kaya agad na tayong kumilos,” she added.
Moreover, at least 41 individuals who had close contact with the first patient have been confirmed positive for the disease and are under quarantine until September 1, 2024. Of those affected, 27 are spa clients, 10 are spa personnel, and four are suspected close contacts
In a meeting with Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and other officials, President Marcos Jr. ordered to continue the surveillance especially in areas and people most vulnerable with the disease.
However, Health Secretary Herbosa has downplayed concerns about the public health emergency, citing the low number of cases and relatively low fatality rate.
“We are lucky because the mpox we found was the original variety, the Clade II, and probably it could have been circulating in our community. It’s the old variant. It’s mild and not the deadly type. It’s not as alarming as the Clade I,” said Hermosa.
The DOH has advised against wearing facemasks and practicing social distancing, as mpox is transmitted through “close and intimate contact” but the department reminded the public to wash and sanitize their hands frequently, as this helps reduce the risk of contracting mpox.
According to the World Health Organization, MPOX is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus. Since 2023, the DOH has recorded 10 cases of mpox, all patients have recovered.
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