Health officials in Bohol are closely monitoring a suspected mpox case in Tagbilaran City while awaiting test results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
A 7-year-old boy is currently in home isolation after submitting samples for mpox testing. Local government units are on high alert for potential community transmission.
Dr. Yul Lopez of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) emphasized the need for public caution, even though the case has not yet been confirmed. He advised residents to avoid crowded places and practice good hygiene.
Mpox spreads through close, particularly skin-to-skin, contact. While immediate concerns are being downplayed, wearing face masks is recommended as a precaution.
Mpox is a reportable disease in the Philippines, requiring suspected or confirmed cases to be reported within 24 hours. Test results from RITM are expected soon.
**Mpox Statistics in the Philippines**
The Philippines has reported 17 mpox cases since July 2022, with eight active cases currently under monitoring, according to the Department of Health (DOH). The latest cases involve individuals from Metro Manila and the Calabarzon region, with symptoms beginning in mid-August 2024.
The DOH highlights that mpox primarily spreads through close, intimate, and skin-to-skin contact. They have issued comprehensive guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease, emphasizing public awareness and adherence to health protocols.
**Prevention Measures**
- Avoid close and intimate skin-to-skin contact with individuals who are suspected, probable, or confirmed to have mpox, including sexual contact, kissing, hugging, and cuddling. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) if such contact is necessary for caregiving.
- Practice frequent and proper hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs.
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus.
- Be aware of mpox risk when traveling and follow health protocols issued by local authorities.
**Healthcare and Caregiver Protocols**
- Healthcare workers must wear appropriate PPE, including N95 masks, disposable gowns, eye protection, gloves, and dedicated footwear when dealing with mpox cases.
- Household members and caregivers should follow strict hand hygiene, clean contaminated surfaces, avoid sharing dishes, and handle laundry separately from infected individuals.
**Isolation and Quarantine**
- Monitor close contacts of suspected, probable, or confirmed cases for 21 days and practice regular hand hygiene. Avoid contact with immunocompromised individuals and children.
- Patients with mild disease who are not at high risk for complications can isolate at home for up to 21 days, until symptoms resolve. High-risk individuals, such as children, pregnant women, and those with severe symptoms, should be hospitalized.
**Detection and Treatment**
- Healthcare workers should remain vigilant for unexplained rashes, mucosal lesions, or lymphadenopathy. Report all suspected, probable, or confirmed cases to the DOH within 24 hours.
- Patients may receive medications to manage symptoms, including antipyretics for fever, analgesics for pain, and stool softeners for proctitis.
**Reintegration and Support**
- Obtain physician clearance before returning to work after recovering from mpox or completing isolation.
- Provide mental and psychological support to affected individuals during and after recovery.
The DOH's guidelines aim to effectively address the re-emerging disease and protect public health through clear, evidence-based protocols.
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