Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 19, 2024 3 months, 2 days, 6 hours, 10 minutes ago
Mpox News: The Philippines has reported its first Mpox (Monkeypox) case of the year, marking a resurgence of the virus since the last detected case in December 2023. The patient, a 33-year-old male from Manila with no history of foreign travel, has raised concerns about the potential local transmission of the virus. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation, awaiting further testing to identify the specific clade strain involved.
Philippines reports Mpox case but clade yet to be identified
The Patient and Symptoms
The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that the patient developed symptoms over a week ago, beginning with a fever that was soon followed by a distinct rash. This rash, which appeared on various parts of his body, including the face, back, nape, trunk, groin, and the palms and soles, is characteristic of the Mpox virus. The patient sought medical attention at a government hospital, where skin lesion samples were collected and tested via a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, confirming the presence of mpox viral DNA.
Concerns Over Local Transmission
The fact that the patient has no recent travel history has heightened concerns among health officials. "He did not travel abroad. That means the virus is already here in the Philippines," stated Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. The situation has prompted heightened surveillance and the issuance of public warnings, though no border control measures similar to those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic are planned at this time.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1231466
This latest case brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed mpox cases in the Philippines to 10 since the first case was detected in July 2022. The DOH has noted that all previous cases were isolated and treated, with patients eventually recovering. However, the reemergence of the virus, particularly in a patient with no foreign travel history, suggests that the virus may have established a foothold in the country.
Awaiting Clade Identification
Health officials are currently awaiting the sequencing results to determine the specific clade of the mpox virus involved in this case. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared Mpox a global public health emergency following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that has since spread to neighboring countries. The new variant of the virus, kwon as clade 1B, which has triggered global concern, appears to spread more easily through routine close contact, raising alarms about its potential impact.
On August 18, a case of mpox clade I, considered a more dangerous variant, was confirmed in Sweden, marking the first instance of this variant outside Africa.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/mpox-clade-i-debuts-in-sweden-cases-expected-in-uk-next
The virus has since been reported in Pakistan, where a patient returning from the Middle East tested positive, although the strain has
yet to be identified.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/pakistan-reports-three-cases-of-mpox-in-individuals-returning-from-uae-strains-not-identified-yet
It has also been reported in Argentina.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/argentina-detects-5-cases-of-mpox-including-one-infection-that-has-been-identified-as-belonging-to-clade-1
Public Health Response and Guidelines
In response to the confirmed case, the DOH has emphasized the importance of public awareness and early detection. "Our health system is working. We can handle the situation, and will keep the public well-informed," Herbosa told local
Mpox News journalists while trying to reassure the general public. The department is updating its mpox guidelines to encourage those exhibiting symptoms to seek consultation and testing promptly.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that leads to flu-like symptoms and distinctive pus-filled lesions. While generally mild, the disease can be severe, especially for children, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV. Transmission occurs through close, intimate contact with an infected person, contaminated materials, or infected animals.
Precautionary Measures
Health Secretary Herbosa has advised the public to remain vigilant, particularly in maintaining hygiene. "We can avoid mpox. Mpox is transmitted through close, intimate contact, and also the materials used by people who have mpox. Keeping our hands clean with soap and water, or with alcohol-based sanitizers will help," he stated.
The DOH continues to monitor the situation closely and is prepared to take further action as necessary. As the world grapples with the spread of new Mpox variants, the Philippines is taking steps to ensure that the virus does not gain a stronger foothold in the country.
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Mpox News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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