The Philippines has recorded its first mpox case since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) over the outbreak.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), the new mpox case was initially reported on Sunday.
Overall, this marks the country’s 10th mpox case, with the next most recent instance reported in December 2023.
“All previous cases were isolated, cared for, and have since recovered,” the DOH said.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has since assured the public there is no need for quarantine facilities since mpox patients can self-isolate at home for three weeks.
The DOH recommends hand washing to avoid transmission of the disease, whose common symptoms are rashes accompanied by fever, headache, muscle pain, back pain, low energy, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
The World Health Organization declared a global emergency last Wednesday because of the mpox outbreaks in Congo and elsewhere in Africa.
The WHO has confirmed cases among children and adults in more than a dozen countries and a new form of the virus spreading.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 500 deaths and asked for international support to stop the spread of the virus.
“This is something that should concern us all … The potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Philippines detects 1st mpox case since WHO public health emergency”
