While there is a vaccine for mpox, its global supply remains limited, according to the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID).

In a statement released Monday, 2 June, PSMID clarified that there is no proven antiviral drug for mpox; however, most individuals with it "will improve without antiviral treatment."

"Some individuals with other medical conditions, such as uncontrolled or untreated HIV or cancer, may develop more severe skin lesions and experience complications requiring hospital admission for management," PSMID said, stressing that mpox can be prevented and diagnosed.

Citing the Department of Health (DOH), PSMID maintained that there is still no Clade 1b logged in the Philippines, or the more transmissible mpox variant.

"The DOH confirmed that all cases of mpox in the country belong to Clade II. To date, no case of Clade 1b, the more recent strain implicated in the 2024 outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has been identified in the Philippines," it said.

Further, PSMID explained that mpox is not known to be transmitted by the airborne route, such as through the air across rooms, marketplaces, offices, or even inside planes.

Thus, recommending masking in the said areas or within the broader community "is not necessary."

"Enforcing masks is not a cost-effective measure and will not prevent the spread of mpox," it added.

Individuals with a skin rash, PSMID furthered, are advised to consult healthcare workers so they can be properly assessed.

"Since mpox is contagious, individuals with rash should refrain from exposing other individuals by covering their lesions with clean gauze, avoiding close skin-to-skin contact, not sharing personal items with other individuals while there is a rash, and consulting with healthcare workers for proper assessment and management," it continued.

"They should also stay in their own dedicated room while recovering from mpox."

There were 52 mpox cases in the country as of December 2024, with no fatalities reported so far.