The Department of Health clarified on Friday that one of the two monkeypox patients in Davao City did not die from the infectious disease itself but from complications related to a severe medical condition.
The DOH emphasized that the patient was severely immunocompromised and likely succumbed to non-mpox-related complications.
On Wednesday, the Davao City Health Office received information from the DOH Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit confirming two cases of monkeypox in the city. The patients were admitted to the isolation facility of the Southern Philippines Medical Center.
Unfortunately, one of the patients passed away due to complications.
The City Health Office is actively monitoring all identified close contacts, and response measures and protocols for monkeypox are currently being implemented.
Monkeypox commonly presents with symptoms such as skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last for two to four weeks. These rashes are often accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
The City Health Office emphasized that anyone can contract monkeypox, as the virus spreads through close, intimate contact, including sexual contact, with an infected person, exposure to contaminated materials such as clothing or utensils, or contact with infected animals.
To reduce the risk of infection, the CHO advised that those infected should use soap and water to eliminate the virus and wear gloves when handling contaminated materials.
Monkeypox is treated with supportive care, and patients with no other underlying health conditions may isolate at home until all scabs fall off and a new layer of skin forms, typically after two to four weeks.
The City Health Office also urged the public to remain calm and avoid panic while observing essential health protocols to prevent monkeypox transmission. These precautions include avoiding direct skin-to-skin contact such as sexual contact, kissing, hugging, and cuddling with suspected, probable, or confirmed monkeypox cases. Caregivers must adhere to proper infection prevention measures, including the use of personal protective equipment.
The CHO encouraged frequent and proper hand hygiene, using alcohol-based hand rubs or washing hands whenever they become soiled or contaminated. It also advised against contact with animals, particularly mammals, that may carry the virus, including sick or diseased animals found in areas where monkeypox is present.
The CHO reminded the public that animals, including pets, infected with monkeypox may exhibit symptoms such as rash, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
Meanwhile, the DOH reassured the public that the monkeypox cases reported by the CHO belong to the same Clade II variant of the virus, meaning the level of risk remains unchanged from previous months. There is no increased danger.
“As mentioned by the Davao City Health Office, established monkeypox response measures are working. Surveillance systems detected the cases, leading to their careful isolation from the public. All identified close contacts are being monitored,” the DOH stated.
