MANILA, Aug 21 (Reuters) – The Philippines’ health minister said on Wednesday a recently detected mpox case in the Southeast Asian nation is of the mild Clade 2 variant and not the newer variant that has spread rapidly in Africa.
“The mpox we found was the original variety and probably it could have been circulating in our community,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa told ANC news channel.
The patient, a 33-year-old Filipino male who had no travel history outside the Philippines, is recovering in hospital, Herbosa said, adding that all nine previously infected Filipinos had also recovered.
The disease, caused by the monkeypox virus, leads to flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. It is usually mild but can kill, with children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, all at higher risk of complications.
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Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by John Mair
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Rachel Carter is a health and wellness expert dedicated to helping readers lead healthier lives. With a background in nutrition, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being.
