DOH releases updated mpox prevention and management guidelines

The Department of Health (DOH) has released updated interim guidelines for preventing, detecting, managing, isolating, treating, reintegrating, and disposing of mpox cases in the Philippines.

All individuals are advised to avoid close skin-to-skin contact with those who have suspected, probable, or confirmed cases of mpox and practice proper hand hygiene.

Healthcare providers must report any suspect, probable, or confirmed case within 24 hours and monitor close contacts for symptoms over a 21-day period, providing treatment as needed.

High-risk individuals such as young children, pregnant women, and immunosuppressed people should be admitted to hospitals if they have severe or complicated mpox.

Travelers entering the Philippines are now required to declare any rashes, vesicles, or blisters within the past 30 days, with potential secondary screening for those coming from WHO-listed outbreak areas.