I am currently right here in the United States; however, I remain fully informed about the situation in the Philippines, specifically in Mindanao. This concerns monkeypox – now known as mpox – which has raised some concerns as individuals fear it may signal another impending pandemic, similar to the recent coronavirus outbreak.
As I write this, there are 19 confirmed cases in Mindanao: 10 in South Cotabato, 3 in Sultan Kudarat, 2 in Maguindanao del Norte, 1 in North Cotabato, 1 in Zamboanga Sibugay, and 2 in Davao City (one individual has died, but this death was not associated with mpox).
In Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), there are 6 suspected cases under surveillance.
Mpox is an illness caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a viral infection which can spread between people, mainly through close contact, and occasionally from the environment to people via things and surfaces that have been touched by a person with mpox. In settings where the monkeypox virus is present among some wild animals, it can also be transmitted from infected animals to people who have contact with them.
Let’s get to know more about mpox. Most of the information here was taken from the press releases and website of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH). As one doctor puts it: “Ligtas ang may alam.”
Mpox is caused by a monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. There are two distinct clades of the virus: clade 1 (with subclades 1a and 1b) and clade 2 (with subclades 2a and 2b).
Mpox can cause a range of signs and symptoms. Common symptoms of mpox include a rash which may last for 2–4 weeks. This may start with, or be followed by, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands (lymph nodes). The rash looks like blisters or sores, and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, genital and/or anal regions.
The most apparent symptom are the lesions, which can be found in the mouth, throat, anus, rectum or vagina, or on the eyes. The number of sores can range from one to several thousand. Mpox lesions are characteristically firm and often have a dot on top of the lesion (umbilication).
The early vesicle is about 3 millimeters in diameter and develops to small pustule (2 millimeters) and then umbilicated pustule (3-4 millimeters). It turns into ulcerated lesion, (5 millimeters).
Some people develop inflammation inside the rectum (proctitis) that can cause severe pain, as well as inflammation of the genitals that may cause difficulties urinating.
In most cases, the symptoms of the mpox go away on their own within a few weeks with supportive care, such as medication for pain or fever. However, in some people, the illness can be severe or lead to complications and even death.
Severe disease due to mpox may include larger, more widespread lesions (especially in the mouth, eyes and genitals), secondary bacterial infections of the skin or blood, and lung infections. Complications can include severe bacterial infection from skin lesions, mpox affecting the brain (encephalitis), heart (myocarditis) or lungs (pneumonia), and eye problems.
People with severe mpox may require hospitalization, supportive care and antiviral medicines to reduce the severity of lesions and shorten the time to recovery.
Anyone can get mpox. It spreads from contact with infected persons mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox. Close contact includes skin-to-skin (such as touching or sex) and mouth-to-mouth, or mouth-to-skin contact (like kissing) and can also include being face-to-face with someone who has mpox (such as talking or breathing close to one another, which can generate infectious respiratory particles).
It is also spread through materials, such as contaminated sheets, clothes, or needles. Pregnant persons may pass the virus on to their unborn baby.
Mpox can also be spread from humans to animals. People who have confirmed or suspected mpox are advised to avoid close physical contact with animals, including such pets as cats and dogs as well as livestock and wildlife.
Once the animal is infected with the virus, man can be infected through physical contact with the animal that carries the virus. The virus can also be caught through eating contaminated meat which is not cooked thoroughly.
To protect yourself and others against mpox, know the signs and symptoms, how the virus spreads, what to do if you get ill, and the risk in your area or community.
If the virus is spreading in your area or in your community, have open conversations with those you come into close contact with about any symptoms you or they may have. Avoid close contact with anyone who has mpox, including sexual contact. Clean your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
If you think you might have mpox, you can act to protect others by seeking medical advice and isolating yourself from others until you have been evaluated and tested. If you have mpox, you should isolate yourself from others until all your lesions have crusted over, the scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath. This will stop you from passing on the virus to others.
If someone has mpox, how would you care for the person? The care someone needs will depend on their symptoms and their risk of developing more severe disease. People with mpox should follow the advice of their health care provider. Symptoms typically last 2–4 weeks and usually go away on their own or with supportive care, such as medication for pain or fever (such as analgesics and antipyretics).
The WHO advises that anyone with mpox who is recovering at home stay hydrated, eat well and get enough sleep. People who are self-isolating should take care of their mental health by doing things they find relaxing and enjoyable, staying connected to loved ones using technology, exercising if they feel well enough and can do so while isolating, and asking for support with their mental health if they need it.
People with mpox should avoid scratching their skin and take care of their rash by cleaning their hands before and after touching lesions and keeping skin dry and uncovered (unless they are unavoidably in a room with someone else, in which case they should cover it with clothing or a bandage until they are able to isolate again).
The rash can be kept clean with sterilized water or antiseptic. Saltwater rinses can be used for sores in the mouth, and warm baths with baking soda and Epsom salts can ease the discomfort of sores on the body. Paracetamol can be used to help manage the pain caused by lesions, if needed. If stronger pain medicine is needed, advice should be sought from a health care provider.
