Manila, 19 August (TDI): The Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippines stated on Monday that the country had detected its first case of the monkeypox virus since December last year. The statement added that the stain of the virus was yet to be determined as the test results were awaited.
The patient is said to be a 33-year-old Filipino male, who had no travel history outside the Philippines. DOH Spokesperson Albert Domingo said that they were awaiting sequencing results and would update once the result was available.
Last Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency after an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its spread to neighbouring countries. According to WHO, the new form of the virus has triggered global concern as it seems to spread easily through routine close contact.
It was on last Thursday when Sweden confirmed a case of new variant of mpox and it was linked to a growing outbreak in Africa. It was the first sign of its spread outside the continent.
In Pakistan, at least one case was confirmed on Friday. The patient was said to have returned from a Gulf country.
Also Read More: China Tightens Port Controls to Stop Mpox Spread
As far in the Philippines, the new case is the 10th laboratory-confirmed case the DOH has detected. The first case was in July 2022. In its statement, the DOH has said that the symptoms started more than a week ago with fever. It was followed four days later by findings of a distinct rash on the face, back, nape, trunk, groin, as well as palms and soles.
According to WHO, the monkeypox virus, leads to flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Though it is often mild, it can kill with children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.
 in the Philippines stated on Monday that the country had detected its first case of the monkeypox...read more){kind=link}