Latest news with #Monkeypox
GMA Network
6 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
Cebu City logs 101 new HIV cases in First Quarter of 2025
Cebu City has logged a total of 101 new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the First Quarter of 2025. According to Dr. Kimberly Sanchez, social hygiene physician at the Cebu City Health Department, the new cases are almost half of the total number of HIV cases in Central Visayas at 255. Sanchez said that 27 percent of the new cases in Cebu City involved persons ages 15 years old to 24 years old. Most of these persons living with HIV are males who have had sexual contact with fellow males, and those who shared needles while indulged in illegal drugs use. However, Sanchez said that living with HIV should not be perceived as a 'death sentence,' as persons can still live as normally as possible once intake of medicines is observed properly to strengthen the immune system. The medicines are available at health centers, free of charge, she said. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said that the real challenge is the continued spread of HIV, not Monkeypox (Mpox). 'Ang malaking problema po natin, hindi Monkeypox kundi ang paglaganap ng HIV; 500-percent increase po tayo sa HIV cases sa mga edad 15 hanggang 25. In fact, ang pinakabatang na-diagnose natin ay batang 12-anyos sa Probinsya ng Palawan,' Herbosa pointed out. The DOH official added that based on data, the Philippines has the most number of new HIV cases in the Western Pacific Region. Should prevention measures fail, DOH underscored it is possible that an estimated 400,000 individuals in the Philippines may contract HIV. 'Maganda magkaroon tayo ng public health emergency for HIV dahil magtutulong-tulong ang buong lipunan. The whole of government can help us in this campaign na mapababa ang new cases of HIV,' Herbosa added. Based on DOH data, the Philippines has a total of 148,831 HIV cases, as of this writing. In the first three months of 2025, confirmed cases have reached a total of 5,101 which is higher compared to the 3,409 cases in the same period in 2024. The DOH once again called on the public to observe preventive measures such as undergoing HIV test that is free and confidential and to always practice safer, protected sex.
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOH 7 heightens alert for Mpox
The Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH Central Visayas CHD), in an official statement, has emphasized the importance of continued vigilance and strict adherence to health protocols to prevent the spread of Mpox (known formerly as Monkeypox), in light of cases reported recently. DOH Central Visayas CHD said that Mpox is a contagious disease caused by the Monkeypox virus, primarily transmitted through close, intimate contact with an infectious person. This includes talking, breathing in close proximity, kissing, touching, hugging, or engaging in sexual activity. It may also spread via contact with contaminated materials such as bedding, clothing, or linens. Common symptoms of Mpox include skin rash or mucosal lesions that typically last between two (2) to four (4) weeks, often accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. "To help prevent infection, the public is advised to practice frequent handwashing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, observe proper respiratory etiquette by covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, ensure good airflow in indoor spaces, and avoid close contact with individuals exhibiting symptoms of Mpox," DOH Central Visayas CHD said. In response to the current situation, the DOH Central Visayas CHD has "heightened its surveillance efforts and urges the public to remain proactive in observing recommended health measures." "We emphasize that only accurate and verified health information should be followed, as misinformation can undermine public safety. The consistent implementation of proper hygiene practices, especially in public spaces, remains essential. We reassure the community that we are committed to safeguarding public health and are closely monitoring for any potential developments," the statement added. 'We want to reassure the people of Central Visayas that the health system is on alert and prepared to respond. Our priority is early detection, clear communication, and protection of every individual, especially those who may be more vulnerable. We ask everyone to be kind and understanding. Let us avoid fear and discrimination, as Mpox can affect anyone, and what we need most right now is compassion, accurate information, and community cooperation,' said Regional Director Joshua Brillantes. In addition, DOH Central Visayas CHD has urged individuals experiencing symptoms suggestive of Mpox to seek medical consultation at the nearest health center or contact the DOH Central Visayas CHD Regional Emergency Operations Center through the following numbers: #0711, 0945-157-6004, and 0943-568-3298.
GMA Network
28-05-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Iloilo City logs 1 case of Monkeypox
The Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) confirmed of a case of Monkeypox (Mpox) in the city. In a press conference on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Dr. Mary Ann Poli-Diaz, CHO head, said that the patient is under isolation while undergoing medication. She said that the patient is in stable condition. She emphasized that the patient has no travel history. However, Diaz has not disclosed any information on the gender, address, age, and occupation of the confirmed patient. Investigation is on to determine other four suspected cases in Iloilo City. Diaz said, as of posting time, she cannot tell conclusively whether there was local transmission of Mpox. Earlier, 15 cases of Mpox have been recorded in three provinces in Mindanao, according to a GMA News Online report. Based on a report in '24 Oras' on May 23, 2025, South Cotabato confirmed 10 cases, Sultan Kudarat had three patients, and Maguindanao del Norte detected two cases. The Mpox virus can be transmitted through intimate, skin-to-skin contact. One can also be infected through contact with contaminated objects. Health experts highly advise proper hygiene, which includes hand washing with soap and water, to avoid infection. Among the symptoms to watch out for include a skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last two to four weeks, the report added. The rashes are accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. (via Sevein Hope Gegantoca/dySI Super Radyo Iloilo and GMA Integrated News)
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
mpox virus circulating in West Africa long before 2022 global outbreak: Study
The virus responsible for mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) was circulating for about eight years ago in West Africa before the 2022 global outbreak, according to a study. The study, published in the journal Nature, highlights the need for improved global surveillance and medicines, given the threat of impending pandemics. Using genomic tracing, the researchers estimate that the virus's ancestor first emerged in southern Nigeria in August 2014 and spread to 11 states before human infections were detected in 2017. "We could have very easily prevented the 2022 multi-country outbreak if countries in Africa were given better access to therapeutics, vaccines, and surveillance technologies," said Edyth Parker, from the Kristian Andersen Lab at Scripps Research. Because the virus involved in the 2022 outbreak had an unexpected number of genetic mutations, scientists thought that mpox might have been circulating in Nigeria for much longer than expected. However, due to a lack of genomic data, it was unclear when and where the virus had first emerged, and what had driven its emergence. To understand, the team analysed 118 viral genomes from human mpox cases that occurred in Nigeria and Cameroon between 2018 and 2023. All of the sequences were identified as Clade IIb -- the mpox strain endemic to West Africa. They found that most of the viral samples from Nigeria were the result of human-to-human transmission (105/109), while the remaining four were caused by zoonotic spillover. In contrast, all nine mpox samples from Cameroon were derived from isolated zoonotic spillover events. "Mpox is no longer just a zoonotic virus in Nigeria; this is very much a human virus," Parker said. "But the fact that there's ongoing zoonotic transmission means there's also a continual risk of re-emergence." Further, the study estimated that the ancestor of the human-transmitting mpox virus emerged in animals in November 2013 and first entered the human population in southern Nigeria in August 2014. It also showed that southern Nigeria was the main source of subsequent cases of human mpox: though the virus spread throughout Nigeria, continual human-to-human transmission only occurred in the country's south. Two of the zoonotically transmitted viral samples from southern Nigeria were related to the Cameroonian viruses, suggesting that viruses are traveling across the border. Overall, the study shows the importance of better access to diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics in Africa, the researchers said.
Arab News
24-03-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Health authorities confirm first mpox case in Pakistan's Sindh
KARACHI: Pakistan's southeastern province of Sindh on Saturday reported its first mpox case, with health authorities saying the patient, in his late 20s, had no recent travel history and was being kept in isolation at a local hospital. Pakistan reported eight cases last year and five this year of mpox, which causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of complications from the infection. Mpox can spread through close contact with an infected person, such as skin-to-skin touching or cuts, sexual activity, mouth-to-mouth contact, or by breathing in infectious respiratory particles. The Sindh health department's announcement highlighting the lack of travel history raises suspicion of a locally transmitted case. 'Saturday 22nd March 2025, the lab confirmed the first case of Monkeypox in Sindh,' Meeran Yousuf, the provincial health department spokesperson, said in a brief statement. 'The 29-year-old male, resident of District Malir, has no recent travel history,' he continued. 'His first symptom onset was on 15th March 2025. The patient is currently in isolation at a public hospital and contact tracing is currently being conducted by the health department.' Last month, Pakistan reported two new mpox cases in the northwestern city of Peshawar, one of which was said to be the country's first locally transmitted case. The World Health Organization declared a global health emergency in 2024 over the spread of a new, more dangerous mutated strain of mpox, named clade I. The strain first emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo and spread to several countries, prompting increased monitoring and preventive measures worldwide. Pakistan has so far not reported any cases of the new mutation.
