FIVE individuals with suspected monkeypox virus (mpox) in Central Visayas are being closely monitored by the Department of Health (DOH) 7, but an official stressed that there is no need for public concern.
Eugenia Mercedes Cañal, regional epidemiologist of the DOH 7, disclosed in a media forum on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, that the five patients suspected of acquiring the infectious disease have no travel history outside the Philippines and the region.
“Wala silay outside the country na travel ug wala pud silay outside Cebu na travel but rest assured that we are also doing our best efforts na ma-monitor gyud sila on a daily basis,” said Cañal.
(They haven’t traveled outside the country or even outside Cebu, but rest assured that we are making every effort to monitor them on a daily basis.)
“Now in Region 7, we only have suspected cases, not confirmed cases. Atong giawhag ang tanan to be vigilant, kung naa sila’y makita naingon ana mag report, magpakonsulta, pero dili angay na ikahadlok because wa paman ta naka-sure na mpox gyud to,” she added.
(We urge everyone to remain vigilant, but there is no need to panic as we have not yet confirmed if it is indeed mpox.)
The individuals with suspected mpox are two males and two females, with an age range of 18-80 years old. The fifth suspected patient has not yet been profiled.
The DOH 7 did not divulge which provinces in the region have suspected mpox cases.
Meanwhile, Cañal also debunked pictures circulating on social media about claims of confirmed mpox cases in Cebu.
“Karon sa atong giingon na naa sa social media posts na nagkalat na naa ta’y mpox na nagkalat diri sa Sugbo, wala pata. Naa ta’y mga suspected cases,” said Cañal.
(Currently, despite social media posts suggesting that monkeypox is spreading in Cebu, we do not have confirmed cases. We only have some suspected cases.)
“We encourage everybody to stop sharing wrong information regarding the diseases because it will do no good and will only create panic. You can always check our official website for correct and timely information,” she added.
The suspected cases of mpox were identified during the second week of August and revealed by various institutions and agencies to DOH 7, said Cañal.
Cañal noted that an earlier investigation was carried out and samples were taken from the suspected patients who are under their surveillance.
“Our surveillance is 24/7. Now, we captured these through the reports of our linkages from the different institutions and agencies. We were informed by the second week of August, then we investigated and took samples,” said Cañal in a mix of Cebuano and English.
The confirmatory results of the samples are expected to be out by the first week of September, Cañal added.
Currently, the DOH 7 surveillance unit is spearheading the identification of these suspected cases in the region. They also ensured that proper prevention strategies were in place to prevent the transmission of these certain infectious diseases in the community.
Individuals who are considered carriers of the virus have manifestations or symptoms of fever, painful rashes, and body pains, said Cañal.
However, she stressed that confirmed cases of the virus have to undergo laboratory confirmation by getting samples from the patient’s body.
“In mpox, we have a suspected case and a confirmed case. A suspected case involves symptoms such as fever, painful rashes, and body aches. The rash should be painful, not just a pinpoint rash like in dengue fever,” said Cañal.
“Confirmed cases of mpox require laboratory confirmation. Samples could be collected from the person’s rashes, which may appear on any part of the body, such as the face, hands, or other areas,” she explained.
Aside from travel history, Cañal emphasized that the infectious disease can also be transmitted through sexual contact.
The virus can be acquired by anybody, especially during skin contact and direct contact with someone who has the virus. The incubation period will start from one to 21 days and could extend to three weeks.
Everyone should practice proper hygiene, especially handwashing, and wear face masks to protect themselves and others.
DOH has also updated the screening questions on the DOH Bureau of Quarantine electronic travel form. The new addition allows travelers who answer “yes” to having been sick in the past 30 days to select “rashes, vesicles, or blisters” from the dropdown menu.
The latest update aims to help prevent the entry of additional mpox cases from outsiders.
On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified mpox as a public health emergency of international concern.
The infectious virus had previously triggered a global outbreak from 2022 to 2023. (DPC)