MANILA, September 10 ------ The Department of Health said that it does not see the need to activate the Interagency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). This as the agency recorded additional cases of mpox, bringing the total number of active cases to 14 since August.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, in a press briefing, said the disease’s low risk is a primary consideration for such action. “The nature of the disease is it’s really very mild. There is no cause for alarm because it can be controlled easily and break the chain of transmission,” he said. The health chief added that he did consider the entry of the more severe Clade 1B in the country and its potential for community transmission as a factor for the activation of the IATF but eventually decided against it. “Naisip ko kahit may (Clade) 1B na diyan, basta walang namamatay at marami nagrerecover. Kahit mag 100 ang cases mpox Clade II ako eh, di ako mag activate because the meas
The DOH said mpox has now been detected in at least three regions: the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, and Cagayan Valley. Six more cases were confirmed by the DOH but no longer divulged detailed information about the latest cases. What is clear is that the cases had anonymous sexual encounters. Herbosa attributed the rise in cases to more tests being conducted following awareness on the virus. However, he advised the public against counting the number of individuals getting infected saying it has “no public health value.” “Whether it’s one [case] or 100 the response is the same. Ang nangyayari dito tinatakot mo lang ang causing people to panic.”
Total mpox cases in the Philippines since 2022 now stands at 23 with 14 remaining active cases. Patients 10 and 11 have been released from the hospital and are undergoing home isolation until their scabs have completely fallen off. Herbosa said the agency is currently prioritizing the allocation of funds for responding to mpox with around P158 million being needed in the next three months.
The amount will cover all tasks and procedures related throughout the Prevent, Detect, Isolate and Quarantine, Treat and Reintegrate (PDITR) framework. These include test kits, campaign materials, seminars and trainings for laboratories as well as engagement with key populations. The DOH said the funds will be culled from the Health Emergency Management Bureau, health emergency, promotion funds and some savings from the 2023 funds.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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