Child, woman among new mpox patients; active cases hit 5 | ABS-CBN
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Child, woman among new mpox patients; active cases hit 5
Child, woman among new mpox patients; active cases hit 5
Colorized transmission electron micrograph of mpox virus particles (teal) found within an infected cell (brown), cultured in the laboratory. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID
Colorized transmission electron micrograph of mpox virus particles (teal) found within an infected cell (brown), cultured in the laboratory. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID MANILA – The Department of Health on Wednesday reported two more cases of mpox, raising confirmed active cases to 5.
The two new patients include a 26-year-old woman from Metro Manila and a 12-year-old male Calabarzon, the DOH said.
It said both patients have the milder Clade 2 variant and not the deadly strain sparking global alarm.
“Exact circumstances of sample collection and the mechanism of close, intimate, and skin-to-skin contact are still being determined,” the DOH said.
As of writing, two close contacts are said to have been identified and notified.
The female patient’s symptoms started August 20 with rashes on her face and back accompanied by fever. An outpatient clinic advised her to go on home isolation.
On August 23, she reported additional rashes in her pubic area, arms, and trunk. She also developed sore throat and swollen neck lymph nodes, the health department said.
Meanwhile, the 12-year-old from Calabarzon first experienced fever on August 10. He also developed rashes mainly on the face, legs, trunk and pubic area extending to other parts of the body. He also had a cough and swollen lymph nodes at the groin area.
The DOH said the two patients did not travel anytime three weeks before her symptoms started. They are recovering at home, under close monitoring by local health authorities.
“Initial investigation is consistent with earlier findings of local transmission of clade II,” the DOH said.
“Anyone can get mpox. 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,” it added.
The DOH reminded the public that soap and water can kill the virus and that gloves should be used when washing contaminated materials.
Philippine authorities have confirmed 14 mpox cases since 2022. Nine patients have long recovered.
There are two subtypes of mpox: Clade 1, endemic in the Congo Basin in central Africa; and Clade 2, endemic in West Africa.
The spread of Clade 1b, and its detection in nearby countries, were the main reasons behind the WHO sounding its top emergency alarm.
Clade 1 mpox is known to be more virulent than Clade 2 mpox and has a higher fatality rate.
“Exact circumstances of sample collection and the mechanism of close, intimate, and skin-to-skin contact are still being determined,” the DOH said.
As of writing, two close contacts are said to have been identified and notified.
The female patient’s symptoms started August 20 with rashes on her face and back accompanied by fever. An outpatient clinic advised her to go on home isolation.
On August 23, she reported additional rashes in her pubic area, arms, and trunk. She also developed sore throat and swollen neck lymph nodes, the health department said.
Meanwhile, the 12-year-old from Calabarzon first experienced fever on August 10. He also developed rashes mainly on the face, legs, trunk and pubic area extending to other parts of the body. He also had a cough and swollen lymph nodes at the groin area.
The DOH said the two patients did not travel anytime three weeks before her symptoms started. They are recovering at home, under close monitoring by local health authorities.
“Initial investigation is consistent with earlier findings of local transmission of clade II,” the DOH said.
“Anyone can get mpox. 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,” it added.
The DOH reminded the public that soap and water can kill the virus and that gloves should be used when washing contaminated materials.
Philippine authorities have confirmed 14 mpox cases since 2022. Nine patients have long recovered.
There are two subtypes of mpox: Clade 1, endemic in the Congo Basin in central Africa; and Clade 2, endemic in West Africa.
The spread of Clade 1b, and its detection in nearby countries, were the main reasons behind the WHO sounding its top emergency alarm.
Clade 1 mpox is known to be more virulent than Clade 2 mpox and has a higher fatality rate.
– With a report from Agence France-Presse
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