Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines’ Department of Health on September 9 reported four new cases of monkeypox, raising the total number of infections in the country to 23 since July 2022.
According to the department, all new cases tested positive for the Clade 2 strain, considered less severe than the Clade 1b variant, which is spreading widely in several African countries.
Secretary of the department Teodoro Herbosa noted that more cases will emerge as health authorities ramp up testing across various regions. However, no deaths have been reported so far.
He also stated that the Philippines does not plan to implement border controls, lockdowns, or community quarantines, measures previously enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In August, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a global public health emergency due to the spread of the Clade 1b variant, originating from the Clade 1 strain./.
