The Philippines has detected a case of mpox (the former monkey pox), its first since December 2023, the health department said today, adding that it is awaiting full results of the patient’s laboratory tests to determine which strain of the virus it’s about
The patient is a citizen of the Philippines, 33 years old, with no history of travel outside the country, the Ministry of Health clarified.
“We are awaiting sequencing results and will update when they are available,” spokesman Albert Domingo said when asked about the strain.
The World Health Organization (WHO) last Wednesday declared a health emergency of international concern, its highest level of alert, after an outbreak of mpox in DR Congo, which spread to neighboring countries.
New strain causes concern
A new strain of the virus is causing global concern as it appears to spread easily through close contact.
An outbreak of the new variant of the virus was laboratory-confirmed last Thursday in Sweden and linked to the outbreak in Africa, which is spreading.
This is the first indication that it has now spread outside the continent. Pakistan on Friday confirmed at least one case, in a carrier who had returned from a Gulf country, but added that it was not yet in a position to announce which strain of the virus it was.
The new case in the Philippines is the tenth that has been laboratory confirmed, according to the Ministry of Health. The first case was recorded in July 2022.
“Symptoms started more than a week ago, with a fever, which four days later was followed by rashes” on various parts of the body, especially on the face, back, genital area, palms and soles, the ministry said. .
The disease has flu-like symptoms, high fever, headache, myalgia, lymphadenopathy, as well as the appearance of rashes with pus. Although the disease is generally mild, it can kill, especially children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, especially those suffering from the virus that causes immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV). The most vulnerable groups are at higher risk of complications, according to experts.
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