Health officials in Bohol province are closely monitoring a suspected case of mpox in Tagbilaran City as they await test results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
A 7-year-old boy is under home isolation after providing specimens for mpox testing.
As this develops, LGUs are on alert for potential community transmission.
“Even if the case is not yet confirmed, the public should exercise caution,” said Dr. Yul Lopez of the PHO.
He urged residents to avoid crowded places and practice good hygiene.
Health officials noted that mpox spreads through close contact, particularly skin-to-skin.
While downplaying immediate concerns, they recommended wearing face masks as a precaution.
Mpox is a reportable disease in the Philippines.
Suspected or confirmed cases must be reported within 24 hours.
The RITM is expected to release test results soon.
Philippines Reports 17 Mpox Cases
The Philippines has reported a total of 17 mpox cases since July 2022, with eight active cases currently under monitoring, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
The latest cases involve individuals from Metro Manila and the Calabarzon region, with symptoms starting in mid-August 2024.
The DOH has reminded that close, intimate, and skin-to-skin contact is the primary mode of transmission.
To prevent the spread of the disease, the DOH has issued comprehensive guidelines, emphasizing public awareness and adherence to health protocols.
Prevention Measures
The public is advised to avoid close and intimate skin-to-skin contact with individuals suspected, probable, or confirmed to have mpox. This includes sexual contact, kissing, hugging, and cuddling. If contact is unavoidable due to caregiving, individuals must use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Frequent and proper hand hygiene is also crucial, with the public advised to wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rubs whenever hands are soiled or contaminated.
Objects and surfaces suspected of being contaminated with the virus must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected using standard household cleaners.
Travelers must be aware of the risk and prevalence of mpox in their destination countries and adhere to health protocols issued by local authorities, airlines, and port management.
Healthcare and Caregiver Protocols
Healthcare workers attending to suspected, probable, or confirmed mpox cases must wear appropriate PPE, including fit-tested N95 respirator masks, disposable gowns, eye protection, gloves, and dedicated footwear.
Household members and caregivers of suspected, probable, or confirmed cases must practice proper hand hygiene and cleaning practices, including cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces, not sharing common dishes or utensils, and handling laundry from infected individuals separately.
Isolation and Quarantine
Close contacts of suspected, probable, or confirmed cases must be monitored or self-monitored for 21 days from the last contact. They should practice regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with immunocompromised persons and children.
Individuals with mild, uncomplicated disease and not at high risk for complications can isolate at home for the duration of the infectious period, which is typically 21 days from the onset of symptoms until lesions have healed and scabs fall off.
Patients at high risk for complications, such as children, pregnant women, and those with comorbidities, or those with severe mpox, must be admitted to the hospital.
Detection and Treatment
Healthcare workers are mandated to observe a high index of suspicion when evaluating individuals with unexplained rash, mucosal lesions, or lymphadenopathy.
All suspected, probable, or confirmed cases must be notified to the DOH within 24 hours.
Patients are provided with medications to alleviate symptoms, such as antipyretics for fever, analgesics for pain, and stool softeners for patients with proctitis.
Reintegration and Support
Clearance to return to work after recovering from mpox or from isolation must be obtained from a physician.
Mental and psychological support must be provided to affected individuals to ensure overall well-being during and after recovery.
The DOH’s guidelines are designed to be clear, concise, and based on scientific evidence, aiming to effectively combat the re-emerging disease and protect public health.