The Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID) on Monday said that all mpox cases in the country remain part of Clade 2, with no detection of the more severe Clade 1b strain found in recent outbreaks abroad.
“Since the first case of mpox in the Philippines was reported in July 2022, more cases of mpox have been detected in several regions in the Philippines,” PSMID said in a statement.
“To date, no case of Clade 1b, the more recent strain implicated in the 2024 outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has been identified in the Philippines,” it added.
Health experts say the virus is primarily transmitted through prolonged skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals. Transmission often occurs through close physical interactions such as kissing, sexual contact, or hugging, particularly among intimate partners or household members.
Respiratory droplets from infected persons may also spread the virus in some circumstances. Surfaces contaminated by lesion materials, including shared towels or bed linens, can also facilitate the spread of infection.
The health group emphasized that mpox does not spread through airborne transmission across rooms, public spaces, or transportation settings like airplanes.
“Compulsory masking in these areas or within the broader community is not necessary. Enforcing masks is not a cost-effective measure and will not prevent the spread of mpox,” PSMID said.
There is currently no specific antiviral treatment for mpox, but most patients recover without it. However, those with underlying medical conditions such as advanced HIV or cancer may suffer more severe symptoms and require hospitalization.
A vaccine exists to prevent mpox infection, but the global supply remains scarce.
PSMID urged the public to rely on credible health authorities, including the Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), for accurate information on mpox.
