Philippines Reports First Case of Mpox Virus Since December, Awaits Strain Identification

The Philippines has reported a new case of the mpox virus, marking the first detection since December of last year, according to the country’s Department of Health (DOH) on Monday. The patient, a 33-year-old Filipino male with no recent travel history outside the country, is currently being monitored. The DOH is awaiting sequencing results to determine the strain, with updates to be provided once available, stated spokesperson Albert Domingo.

This development comes in the wake of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent declaration of mpox as a global public health emergency, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has spread to neighboring countries. Concerns have heightened globally due to a new variant of the virus that appears to spread easily through routine close contact.

Last week, a case of the new variant was confirmed in Sweden, linked to an expanding outbreak in Africa, marking its first appearance outside the continent. Similarly, Pakistan reported at least one case of mpox in a patient returning from a Gulf country, although the strain remains unidentified.

The latest case in the Philippines is the 10th laboratory-confirmed mpox case since the country’s first detection in July 2022. The patient experienced symptoms over a week ago, starting with a fever, followed by a distinct rash that appeared on various parts of the body, including the face, back, trunk, and extremities.

Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, typically presents with flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. While often mild, it can be fatal, particularly in children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV.