The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Saturday that monkeypox (mpox) cases in the Philippines declined in May compared to April, countering public perception of a surge.
DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo clarified that while the total number of cases since 2024 has reached 911, health officials focus on monthly trends. “There were fewer than 50 new mpox cases in May, compared to over 50 in April,” Domingo said, adding that the department follows the epidemic curve instead of total figures to avoid misinterpretation.
He also noted that many reported cases, especially in September 2024, turned out to be chickenpox after confirmation. Out of 200 suspected mpox cases that month, only fewer than 20 were confirmed.
Only the milder Clade II variant of mpox has been detected in the Philippines so far. The more infectious Clade 1B remains undetected. DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa reiterated that recent mpox-related deaths were mostly due to complications from advanced HIV, not mpox itself.
Domingo also addressed public concerns over face mask mandates by some local government units. While there’s no harm in wearing masks, mpox is not airborne and is primarily spread through direct skin contact, he said.
Daily new HIV cases remain a bigger concern, with 56 to 57 cases recorded each day, Herbosa emphasized.