Davao City has 2 cases of mpox; one victim dies of complications (2025)

MANILA, Philippines — The local government unit (LGU) of Davao City on Friday confirmed two cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) and one of the victims died due to complications.

The LGU said the Department of Health Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit relayed the information to the Davao City Health Office on Wednesday.

“The patients were admitted at SPMC [Southern Philippines Medical Center] isolation facility. Unfortunately, one of the patients has passed away due to complications,” the LGU said in an advisory.

READ: 52 mpox cases in PH reported this year – DOH

“The City Health Office is actively monitoring all identified close contacts, and established response measures and protocols for mpox are currently being implemented,” the LGU added

No other details on the close contacts have been made available as of posting time.

Meanwhile, the DOH said that the two reported mpox cases are the Clade II variant of the mpox virus.

According to the World Health Organization, the two types of mpox virus: Clade I which causes more severe illness and deaths; and Clade II which caused a global outbreak in 2022 and is associated with less severe infections.

The DOH also noted that the death of one of the victims was not likely due to mpox.

“The patient who passed away did not succumb to Mpox itself; said patient was in a severely immunocompromised state and is likely to have died of non-Mpox complications,” the DOH said in a separate statement.

The Davao City LGU then advised the public “to remain calm and avoid panic” and practice the following health protocols to prevent the spread of the virus:

• Avoid close and intimate, skin-to-skin contact such as sexual contact, kissing, hugging, and cuddling with individuals who are suspect, probable, or confirmed cases of mpox. If contact is unavoidable due to need for care, caregivers must adhere to proper prevention and control measures, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Observe frequent and proper hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub or hand-washing whenever hands are soiled or contaminated.
• Ensure that objects and surfaces suspected of being contaminated with the virus, or handled by an infected person, are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
• Avoid contact with animals, particularly mammals, that may carry the virus, including sick or diseased animals found in areas where mpox is present. Signs and symptoms of mpox in animals, including pets, can include rash, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite.

READ: Mpox: What is it, how it spreads, care for patients

According to the DOH and United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of mpox may include the following:

• fever
• skin rash
• swollen lymph nodes
• sore throat
• muscle aches and back pain
• headache
• fatigue.

“Should you experience any symptoms, please contact the City Health Office – City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) at 09495011457, or immediately visit the nearest healthcare provider,” the Davao City LGU noted.