No mpox in Cebu City, DOH-7 clarifies

Local

CONTRARY to what is being spread on social media, there are no confirmed cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, cases in Cebu City.

The Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH 7) made this clarification, emphasizing that there are no confirmed cases of monkeypox in the city or in the entire Central Visayas region, which includes the provinces of Cebu, Siquijor, Bohol, and Negros Oriental.

The clarification came after a netizen named Shilrose H Dy posted on Facebook that five individuals in Cebu City were being treated for monkeypox. The post quickly gained traction online, causing concern among the public.

However, during a virtual press conference on Thursday, August 29, 2024, DOH 7 Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal addressed these claims, emphasizing that the reports were baseless.

"Ingon nga naa na sa mga social media post nga gakalat nga naa tay mpox diri sa Sugbo. Wala pa 'ta. Naa ta'y mga suspected cases," she said, adding that while there are suspected cases under investigation, these remain unconfirmed as the confirmatory results are still pending.

She said that swab samples of suspected cases have been sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City for confirmatory testing.

Until these results are received, the cases cannot be considered confirmed.

The health expert revealed that the five suspected cases, which include two males, two females, and one unidentified individual, have no travel history outside the country or even outside Cebu.

Cañal urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation and to rely only on verified sources for updates on public health matters.

"We understand the public's concern, but it is crucial to avoid sharing unverified information that may cause unnecessary panic," she added.

Cañal also reiterated the importance of following health protocols and remaining vigilant, particularly in monitoring symptoms associated with monkeypox.

She assured that the agency is closely coordinating with health authorities to ensure the accurate and timely dissemination of information, aiming to curb the spread of misinformation and maintain public confidence in the health system's ability to manage potential threats.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the mpox virus, part of the Orthopoxvirus genus. First identified in monkeys in 1958, the virus saw its first human case in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It primarily spreads from animals to humans, with rodents and primates as hosts, and between humans through close contact with respiratory droplets, bodily fluids, skin lesions, or contaminated materials like bedding.

Although mpox has often been associated with men who have sex with men, Cañal clarified that the disease is not exclusive to this group. She emphasized that while this demographic is among the most commonly affected, anyone can contract the virus.

She said the virus does not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender, and it is vital for everyone to take preventive measures.

Health experts said that mpox symptoms typically include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion, followed by a rash that usually appears on the face before spreading to other parts of the body.

The rash progresses through several stages before eventually forming scabs and falling off. In most cases, the disease is self-limiting, but it can cause severe complications, particularly in immunocompromised individuals and children.

Meanwhile, the country reported a new case of the mpox virus last week, marking the first since December. DOH central office announced on August 19 that the patient, a 33-year-old Filipino male from Manila, has no history of foreign travel.(MyTVCebu)