The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday that there are now 18 confirmed Mpox cases in the Philippines, five of which have recovered, while 11 are currently in home isolation.
“What’s good is that all the 18 cases we picked up have not yet spread the virus to others,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a mix of English and Filipino during a media conference.
Meanwhile, the DOH recorded a 68-percent increase in dengue cases in the country compared to last year’s data.
Dengue cases have risen to 208,000 from 124,150 in 2023. Moreover, the Health Department observed a trend showing a 25-percent increase in cases in the past three to four weeks.
Herbosa said this is the agency’s top priority at present, as cases increased more than 40 percent in some areas, such as Region III (Central Luzon), Region VI (Western Visayas), and Region VII (Central Visayas).
“These three regions have reported a state of calamity due to an increase of cases resulting in hospitals being full,” Herbosa said in Filipino, adding the National Capital Region (NCR) has increasing cases but not as big as the said three regions.
He said they are continuously testing and educating the public regarding mpox.
“I am thanking the establishments such as spa and barber shops that are sterilizing and changing their stuff. We’ve also started to disseminate information to all local chief executives, barangay officials, and business owners,” Herbosa said.
In the case of Mpox, the DOH chief said the supposed Mpox vaccines being marketed are not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), meaning they are considered contraband or illegal drugs.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that all of the vaccines will be for Democratic Republic of Congo as of the moment. If they have a vaccine, it is not registered with our (FDA),” Herbosa said.
The Health Department announced they are lining up for 2,500 Mpox vaccine doses. However, it said the vaccine is not needed because the cases in the country are under control.
Despite the increase in dengue cases, the DOH highlighted that the fatality rate has decreased to 0.26 percent, compared to 0.39 percent last year.
Herbosa advised the public to clean their areas, especially during the rainy season, adding that vector control or eradicating the number of mosquitoes will address the number of dengue cases.
“We are distributing larvicide and adulticide in our regional offices to decrease the numbers of mosquitoes. It is also important to find where they are nesting, such as old tires, buckets, and clogged rain gutters of houses,” Herbosa said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Mpox cases in Philippines at 18 — DOH.”
