Marcos tells DOH to continue surveillance of mpox

WARNING TO THE PUBLIC The Department of Health, through its website and social media platforms, has released public advisories to educate people about the symptoms of mpox and how these symptoms are different from rashes caused by chickenpox and measles.

MANILA, Philippines  — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered all government agencies to monitor areas and people “most vulnerable” to mpox (formerly monkeypox), Malacañang said on Wednesday.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos issued the order after meeting with Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and other officials on Tuesday.

READ: 1st mpox case in the Philippines for 2024 detected – DOH

“Continue surveillance, especially on areas and people most vulnerable to the disease,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) quoted Marcos as saying.

In the meeting, Herbosa said 10 cases of mpox have already been recorded since 2023— all of whom have since recovered.

In these instances, Herbosa told the President that there was no “public emergency” on mpox, citing the low number of cases and the low fatality rate of the disease.

Mpox is transmitted through intimate contact (or skin-to-skin physical contact) with someone who is infected.

It may also be spread through contaminated materials, like used clothes, utensils, or infected animals.

Most vulnerable to Mpox, according to Herbosa, are people who are immunocompromised. This refers to persons who have impaired immune systems.

Common symptoms include skin lesions, which can last two to four weeks, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.