DOH monitoring first suspected case of mpox in BARMM

MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring a suspected case of Mpox in the Bangsamoro region, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said on Saturday. 

"Mayroon kaming BARMM, the first one suspected in BARMM. Sa Lanao. Pero suspect yun ah, hindi final. We will confirm the test result," Herbosa told members of the media in a chance interview. 

"We are still waiting for the result of the testing… RITM. There are no alarm bells. The contagiousness of monkeypox is still the same," said Herbosa.

"There is no alarm that I will signal," he said. 

Asked when the test result would be revealed, he said this could happen "within 24 to 48 hours" as the specimen would still need to be sent from the region to Metro Manila. 

"The test, once makuha ang test, is within 24 hours. I do not know how the samples would go to RITM from Lanao," he said. 

No other additional and immediate details were made public by the health chief. Metro Manila and Calabarzon, he said, remain hotspots for the virus. 

DOH Calabarzon this Friday confirmed the detection of four new Mpox cases, marking a resurgence of the virus after a period of zero cases reported on October 31. 

Mpox is a contagious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a viral infection which can spread between people, mainly through close contact.

It spreads through close contact including sexual encounters and contact with contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing. Common symptoms include rashes or sores lasting several weeks, fever, headache and muscle aches. 

While most patients recover at home with supportive care, hospitalization may sometimes be necessary.