DOH maintains mpox surveillance, records nine cases

The Department of Health (DOH) has maintained its surveillance systems following the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's declaration of a public health emergency due to an mpox outbreak.

As of Thursday, the Philippines continues to record nine cases of mpox with no new cases detected since December 2023.

Four cases were identified in 2022, while five more were reported last year; all have recovered without fatalities.

The DOH spokesperson emphasized that there is currently no evidence supporting claims about an individual from Central Visayas dying due to mpox.

Symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rash or mucosal lesions on the chest, genitals, hands, and feet.

In July 2022, the World Health Organization declared mpox as a public health emergency of international concern; it was re-declared by WHO on Wednesday due to rising cases in Africa.