Extracellular, brick-shaped mpox virions (colorized pink). Backlighting shows surface membranes of the virions and the outlines of nucleocapsids. NIAID 

MANILA — The Philippines has logged more mpox cases as it ramped up detection efforts to stop the spread of the infectious disease, an official of the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific on Thursday said.

Dr. Rui Paulo de Jesus, WHO Representative to the Philippines, told a media briefing that the total number of mpox cases in the Philippines since July 2022 had increased to 24, as of October 10, 2024.

De Jesus said all cases involved the less severe Clade II variant of the mpox virus, and no deaths had been recorded.

The Philippines detected its first mpox case this year in August, following a surge of mpox outbreaks in Africa due to the Clade I variant, which was said to cause more severe symptoms. The World Health Organization declared that outbreak in Africa an emergency.

What is mpox, how is it spread, and how can it be prevented?

In the WHO Western Pacific Region, which includes the Philippines, 4,500 cases of Clade II mpox cases have been detected since 2022.

"I don't think we can declare a country is completely safe for such communicable diseases. But I think what we need to take note is the effort, how to contain the disease," De Jesus said.

"What happens now... there is no in-country transmission; those cases are independent cases, and most of the cases are under investigation," he said.

"The government is working very hard where to contain these cases... We continue to improve the capacity to prevent, to detect, and also to treat the cases in the country."

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Dr. Gina Samaan, regional emergency director of the WHO, said the global strategy is to "quickly detect, quickly respond, isolate cases to prevent further spread, and, of course, increase our capacities in health service provision and community engagement."

Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last 2 to 4 weeks. The rashes are accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. 

The Department of Health said mpox can be transmitted to humans through close, intimate contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials like used clothes or utensils, or with infected animals. Soap and water can kill the virus. When washing contaminated materials, use gloves.

Mpox is treated with supportive care. Patients with no other illnesses may stay at home after testing, until all scabs fall off and a new layer of skin forms, typically after 2 to 4 weeks.

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