Undetected monkeypox cases possible – DOH

MANILA, Philippines — It is possible the country has more than two cases of monkeypox, although these have yet to be detected, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday.

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said it is highly possible that there are currently undetected monkeypox cases in the Philippines.

“The possibility of other cases still being not detected would always be there,” said Vergeire at a press briefing Friday, adding that people with symptoms need to get tested as soon as possible.

“Doing so can help prevent the spread of monkeypox in the communities. We can avoid (more transmission) if people will immediately seek consultation, get tested, undergo isolation and have their cases managed,” Vergeire added.

On Friday, the DOH announced the detection of two more monkeypox cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to three.

According to the DOH, the two new cases involve 34-year-old and 29-year-old Filipinos who recently traveled to countries with confirmed cases of monkeypox.

The first recorded case, it added, was noted as having recovered last Aug. 6.

Vergeire said the three cases are not linked to one another.

“The two new cases are not related to each other, or to the first case. These three cases do not have any links at all as they all went to different countries,” she noted.

Monkeypox is a virus that spreads mostly by skin-to-skin contact with those who have rashes or open lesions. Its symptoms include fever, lymphadenopathy or kulani and rashes.