The Department of Health (DOH) has cautioned the public against false social media claims suggesting widespread monkeypox (mpox) outbreaks and alleged lockdowns being implemented to contain the virus.
DOH spokesperson Dr. Albert Domingo dismissed the misleading posts, clarifying that mpox cases actually declined in May compared to April 2025. He stressed that mpox is not airborne, so lockdowns are not necessary.
“Don’t believe fake Facebook posts using deceptive strategies, false expert endorsements, and misinformation,” Domingo said. He added that face masks, recently mandated by some local governments, do not prevent mpox transmission, which spreads through close contact or skin-to-skin interaction.
Domingo confirmed that the DOH is working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to take down the misleading accounts. He also advised the public to rely on verified information from DOH’s official platforms.
The Philippines has recorded 911 mpox cases since 2024, mostly involving the milder clade 2 variant. No cases of the more deadly clade 1B have been detected in the country. Domingo noted that some previously reported mpox cases were actually chickenpox.