PBBM orders continued surveillance of areas ‘most vulnerable’ to mpox

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

MPOX MONITORING. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday (Aug. 20, 2024) meets with Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and other Health officials in Malacañang to get an update on mpox cases in the country. During the meeting, Marcos received an assurance from Herbosa that there is no public emergency due to the disease. (PCO Photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the continued monitoring of areas “most vulnerable” to mpox, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Marcos gave the order during his meeting with Department of Health (DOH) officials led by Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.

“Continue surveillance especially on areas and people most vulnerable to the disease,” Marcos said during the meeting, as quoted by the PCO.

Herbosa told Marcos that immunocompromised individuals are at high risk of getting mpox.

Marcos’ latest directive came after the Philippines recorded its first mpox case since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a “public health emergency of international concern” for the second time following the outbreak in Congo and nearby countries in Africa.

Herbosa said mpox does not constitute a public health emergency in the country, considering the low number of cases and the fatality rate of the disease.

He said the DOH has so far recorded a total of 10 cases of mpox since 2023.

He said all mpox patients have already recovered.

Garafil said Marcos received assurance from Herbosa that the DOH is ready to treat and manage mpox cases.

“He (Herbosa) also noted that the disease is not airborne. Unlike [coronavirus disease 2019], which is airborne, mpox may only be transmitted through intimate or skin to skin physical contact with someone who is infected or with contaminated materials,” she said.

Mpox, otherwise known as monkey pox, is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, according to the WHO.

The common symptoms of mpox are skin lesions, which can last two to four weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.