How serious is monekypox in the Philippines?
The first case of monkeypox in the Philippines in 2024 was revealed to be from a 33-year old man with no travel history, who caught the disease through close contact.
A news article on Inquirer.net states that this is the tenth monkeypox case recorded by the Department of Health. All previous patients had successfully recovered with the last case recorded back in December 2023. (2024)
This shows that the infectious disease has unfortunately reached Philippine waters, as cases worldwide drastically increase. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
PHEIC declarations are used to formally allow government agencies to coordinate and combat the spread of infectious diseases. The PHEIC status was previously used during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting government agencies around the world to implement strict safety guidelines.
These restrictions made traveling to Cebu and its neighboring regions rather difficult, and safety guidelines caused big cultural events like the Sinulog Festival to be canceled.
Life during the pandemic was difficult because of lockdowns that made essential items difficult to acquire. Many people lost their jobs, and businesses unfortunately had to close down.
Monkeypox has been declared a PHEIC twice in the last two years, considering its potential of starting another global pandemic. That being said, what exactly is this infectious disease?
WHAT IS MONKEYPOX?
Commonly called “mpox,” monkeypox is a viral disease caused by an infection from the “monkeypox virus.” It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread between animals and people.
There are two types of the virus: Clade I and Clade II. Both are spread through physical contact with infected animals, people, and even contaminated objects.
The two clades vary in lethality, with Clade I being more severe. Some outbreaks of this type of virus have reportedly killed 10% of the infected.
The second type is less severe, with around 99.9% of patients surviving it. This is what caused the first global outbreak in 2022, and the first declaration of the virus as a PHEIC.
Monkeypox spread around continents with no prior history of the virus like North America and Europe. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has already recorded 60 deaths and over 30,000 cases of the virus in the United States since January 2022.
In 2024, several cases of the deadlier strain were recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its nearby regions, prompting WHO to declare it a PHEIC again.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MONKEYPOX
Monkeypox is notable for rashes that develop around various parts of the body, including the hands, feet, chest, face, and mouth. This will initially look like pimples, and may be painful or itchy.
Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 21 days of exposure to the virus. There is an incubation period of 3 to 17 days, wherein the patient will feel no symptoms at all. Flu-like symptoms like fevers, chills, and headaches will come before rashes develop 1 to 4 days later.
If you experience any of these symptoms, visit a healthcare provider and get tested if recommended. You should also wear a mask and avoid close contact in order to prevent the virus from spreading.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MONKEYPOX
Monkeypox is notable for rashes that develop around various parts of the body, including the hands, feet, chest, face, and mouth. This will initially look like pimples, and may be painful or itchy.
Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 21 days of exposure to the virus. There is an incubation period of 3 to 17 days, wherein the patient will feel no symptoms at all. Flu-like symptoms like fevers, chills, and headaches will come before rashes develop 1 to 4 days later.
If you experience any of these symptoms, visit a healthcare provider and get tested if recommended. You should also wear a mask and avoid close contact in order to prevent the virus from spreading.
ARE THERE CASES OF MONKEYPOX IN THE PHILIPPINES?
According to an article on CDN Digital, Cebu City health officials are preparing themselves in case monkeypox in the Philippines will spread. (2024)
Dr. Peter Mancao, the chief of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), pointed out that there is a big chance the virus will spread to Cebu, as it has already reached Philippine waters. He encourages everyone to be mindful and vigilant with their surroundings.
While no announcements have been made by government agencies in the Philippines, Mancao believes it will be similar to the COVID-19 pandemic, wherein hygiene practices, social distancing, and lockdowns were implemented.
This might cause some Cebu tourist spots and attractions to temporarily shut down operations for the time being in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
Mancao is optimistic, though, that the virus won’t spread rapidly around the city, making lockdowns unnecessary. He also pointed out that the experience from the COVID-19 pandemic should prevent this kind of outbreak from happening again.
Preventive measures such as face masks and the isolation of symptomatic individuals are also in place should there be a case of mpox in Cebu. Mancao also advised the public to maintain good personal hygiene and avoid contact with strangers with monkeypox symptoms.
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Monkeypox in the Philippines has become a cause for concern for both locals and tourists looking to explore the country. Many of us are still adapting to the new normal, so it’s best to take precautionary measures to prevent another global pandemic.
REFERENCES:
Sarao, Zacarian. 2024. “1st mpox case in the Philippines for 2024 detected – DOH.” Inquirer.net.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1974250/mpox-case-in-the-philippines.
Piquero, Pia. 2024. “Cebu City prepares for potential mpox cases.” CDN Digital.
https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/590894/cebu-city-prepares-for-potential-mpox-cases.
