{"id":3940,"date":"2024-09-05T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nowserving.ph\/blog\/?p=3940"},"modified":"2026-02-08T13:23:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T05:23:18","slug":"mpox-spread","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nowserving.ph\/blog\/mpox-spread\/","title":{"rendered":"How Mpox Spreads: Transmission Insights for Filipinos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the previous years, the Philippines documented several cases of Monkeypox. It began after the pandemic era, in the middle of the year 2022, which lasted in December 2023. Unfortunately, the Mpox spread continues as confirmed cases increased again this August. This month, confirmed cases were raised to 8 active patients, and all are being monitored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This global outbreak disturbed the peace in every community of the Philippines. Individuals are starting to fear the risk of exposure to the Monkeypox virus, especially due to a lack of knowledge about the conditions. That’s why in this blog, we’ll be focusing on how Mpox spreads by understanding how it can be transmitted. Let’s begin!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introducing Monkeypox Illness<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"mpox<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before diving into the transmission of this illness, it is important to uncover first the origin of Mpox and how it affected multiple countries around the world<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monkeypox originated in 1958 when wild animals in parts of Africa like Central and West Africa developed a skin disease that seemed to be chickenpox. It remains unknown how the animals developed this illness. However, they suspect that it might be transmitted from rodents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1970, the first case of Mpox was documented in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Years of research occurred, which allowed the experts to discover that Monkeypox is a zoonotic illness, which can be categorized into 2 clades (e.g., clade I and clade II).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Mpox Virus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, there are 2 categories discovered during the thorough research of the experts about Monkeypox. Let’s discuss each of them below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clade I<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This virus spreads mostly in Central Africa, with 2 subclades known as clade Ia and clade Ib. Clade I is known to be the deadliest variant of Mpox. According to the World Health Organization, this clade is still today’s threat to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the end of August 2024, reports from DRC included 4,799 confirmed cases of Mpox, 17,801 suspected cases in DRC, and a total of 610 deaths. All of these cases are identified to be either clade Ia or clade Ib.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in 2022, public health emergencies of international concern were raised due to recorded cases in countries like Sweden and Thailand.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clade II<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, as Mpox becomes a global threat, this type of Mpox spreads within African countries and other countries outside Europe. Just like Clade I, it also has subclades (e.g., clade IIa and clade IIb). The global health emergency began in 2022, after the surge of COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During that year, cases of clade IIb were documented in countries such as the United States<\/a> and the Philippines. Recently, another surge of clade IIb was documented in the Philippines with 8 active patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While clade II has a lower mortality rate than clade I, it is still important to take precautions, especially when the immune system is at risk. Furthermore, clade II can still lead to symptoms of Mpox, and lead to Mpox spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Impact of Mpox in the Philippines<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"mpox<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As of September 2, 2024, news outlets have reported 8 active Mpox cases in the country<\/a>. That means there’s an ongoing Mpox spread that can affect more Filipinos. In short, this occurrence triggers a risk of infection, which calls for disease control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, the DOH and other healthcare agencies have been working tirelessly to control the spread of Mpox through supportive care and public awareness initiatives. Despite these efforts, the virus continues to pose a threat, which may involve the lack of constraint, especially when it comes to physical contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, with the lack of protection such as vaccines, situations like continuous Mpox spread are likely to happen. On that note, it is important to seek help from a healthcare provider to address the occurring Mpox symptoms and other threats of Mpox<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Documented Details About Mpox Virus in the Philippines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In August this year, DOH uploaded an infographic guide covering crucial details about Mpox<\/a>, including the symptoms, methods for Mpox spread, and other information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Symptoms of Mpox<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here are the common symptoms people can observe<\/a>, which can signify the presence of viral infections like Mpox in one’s system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n