Manila: The Philippines’ first mpox case of the year is a mild variant, not the deadly strain causing global concern, according to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday.
The Clade 1b strain, highly contagious and lethal in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has appeared in several other countries but differs from the Clade 2 variant found in a 33-year-old Filipino man.
“It’s the old variant,” Herbosa stated, indicating it is less concerning than Clade 1b. The patient, who has not travelled abroad, remains hospitalized, suggesting local virus transmission, Herbosa explained.
The Philippines had nine mpox cases in the past two years, with the last one reported in December. Following this, President Ferdinand Marcos mandated vigilant monitoring for the virus among susceptible populations.
