President Marcos directed the Department of Health (DOH) and other concerned government agencies to enhance the monitoring of areas and demographic groups that are at higher risk of Mpox virus transmission.
During a meeting in Malacañang, Mr. Marcos told Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and other officials to “continue surveillance, especially on areas and people most vulnerable to the disease.”
The health secretary assured the chief executive that Mpox is not a public emergency, citing its low case count and non-airborne transmission.
Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, spreads through close physical contact, unlike the airborne COVID-19 virus, he added.
The DOH has recorded 10 Mpox patients in the country since 2023, all of whom have recovered.
In an earlier interview, Herbosa said the first Mpox case reported by the Philippines in 2024 is infected with “a mild variant” and not the deadly strain.
“It’s the old variant,” he said of the virus that struck a 33-year-old Filipino male, referring to the milder Clade 2 variant.
“It’s not as alarming as the Clade 1b,” Herbosa told Agence France Presse
The secretary assured that the DOH remains prepared to manage any new Mpox cases that may arise.
As this developed, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said on Wednesday that the 33-year-old man who became the country’s first Mpox victim this year has visited a derma clinic and an illegal spa, where he had an intimate encounter with a masseuse.
At a news conference, she clarified the Mpox patient was not from the city but had close contact with 41 persons, including the spa’s masseuse and several clients.
“Of the 41 close contacts, 28 of them, who were identified through contact tracing, are now under self-quarantine and are being closely monitored by the city’s health department,” Belmonte told reporters.
At least 15 percent of the patient’s 41 close contacts were from Quezon City and were immediately given the proper treatment.
“Every day, we call them up for monitoring (of their health condition),” City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division chief Dr. Rolando dela Cruz said. (with AFP)
Meanwhile, Belmonte said she ordered the temporary closure of the AED Infinity Wellness Spa Inc. located along E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue due to a lack of a business permit, sanitary permit, environmental clearance, and fire inspection certificate.
She added that the patient, who has no travel history outside of the Philippines, frequented similar spas in other cities within the same period.
“The doctor’s response to the patient was good and prompt so the further spread of the virus was avoided. At the same time, we will continue to strengthen our system in controlling and responding to Mpox,” the city mayor assured.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Marcos orders close monitoring of mpox in Philippines”
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