By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Health (DOH) to maintain surveillance on mpox (monkeypox) following the report of a new case in the country.
“Continue surveillance, especially in areas and among people most vulnerable to the disease,” Marcos instructed Health Secretary Ted Herbosa.
Herbosa noted that individuals who are immunocompromised are particularly at risk for mpox.
Since 2023, the DOH has recorded 10 cases of mpox.
Herbosa emphasized that there is no public emergency related to mpox, citing the low number of cases and the disease’s low fatality rate.
He also pointed out that, unlike COVID-19, mpox is not airborne. The disease is transmitted through intimate or skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or contaminated materials.
Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
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