The Philippines has confirmed its first case of mpox this year, raising concerns about the potential spread of a new, more dangerous strain of the virus.
Health authorities are currently investigating whether the case involves the deadly Clade 1b variant that has caused hundreds of fatalities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On Monday, the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) announced that a 33-year-old Filipino man had tested positive for mpox. The patient, who had not traveled outside the country, was reported by a government hospital on Sunday.
In an official release, the DOH stated: “Symptoms began more than a week ago with fever, which was followed four days later by the appearance of a distinct rash on the face, back, nape, trunk, groin, as well as on the palms and soles.”
Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of “Monkeypox viral DNA” in samples collected from the patient’s skin lesions.
The Explainer learned, this case marks the tenth laboratory-confirmed mpox infection in the Philippines since the global outbreak began, with the previous case recorded in December 2023.
Health officials are now awaiting sequencing results to determine if the current case involves the Clade 1b variant.
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The emergence of Clade 1b has sparked global concern due to its increased transmissibility and lethality. Recent detections in Sweden and Pakistan have heightened international alertness, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the mpox surge a “public health emergency of international concern” last week.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa sought to reassure the public, stating, “Our health system is working. We can handle the situation and will keep the public well-informed.”
The DOH is updating its mpox guidelines to encourage individuals exhibiting symptoms to seek prompt medical consultation and testing.
