No confirmed mpox case yet in Cebu, DOH says

CEBU CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday clarified that there are only suspected mpox cases in Cebu province and they have to undergo confirmatory tests.

Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Cañal, head of the DOH-7 Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, said that while confirmatory tests are being done, the five individuals who have displayed mpox symptoms are now being closely monitored.

"We have suspected cases that are under surveillance. As to case definition, the cases still belong to the category of "suspected cases,"" Cañal told reporters during a virtual press conference.

Two of the suspected cases were females, a teenager and an elderly, while the other two were males, she said, adding that they have yet to trace the identity of the fifth suspected case.

The four individuals have displayed signs and symptoms of mpox. Three of them had fever and rashes in different parts of the body, she added.

Tests were made and the samples were already submitted to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

Local government units, she added, have already been informed of the cases.

Since 2022, Central Visayas registered 22 reported mpox cases but tested negative during confirmatory tests, she said. (PNA)