The Department of Health (DoH) reported on Tuesday that 52 cases of mpox have been recorded in the Philippines this year.

Of the total cases, 70 percent are male, with the youngest patient being six months old and the oldest 66 years old.

As of 16 December, at least 28 individuals have recovered. Unfortunately, one patient died from underlying health conditions, not from mpox itself.

Mpox cases have been detected in various regions, including the National Capital Region (33), Calabarzon (13), Central Luzon (3), Cagayan Valley (2) and Central Visayas (1).

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa clarified that suspected mpox cases from the Bangsamoro region tested negative.

Additionally, 30 percent of the confirmed mpox cases involve individuals living with HIV.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mpox is a viral zoonotic infection that can spread from animals to humans.

However, it can also transmit from person to person through close contact, such as skin-to-skin contact, hugging, kissing, or sexual contact.

Common symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and a rash with blisters on the face, hands, feet, body, eyes, mouth, or genitals.