The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) recently raised the mpox to the status of a global health emergency. Shortly after this declaration, the Philippines confirmed its first case of the disease this year.
Philippine health authorities announced the discovery of the disease but did not disclose whether the individual was infected with the newer, more virulent Clade Ib strain that is currently predominant in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is responsible for a surge in infections. The reported case involved the older Clade IIb strain that led to the global mpox outbreak in 2022.
This development follows closely on the heels of the WHO announcement signaling increased global vigilance against the disease. The rapid identification and reporting of the case by the Philippines underscores growing concerns about the spread of mpox outside traditional endemic regions.
Eve Sampson, an international journalist and participant in the 2024-25 Times Fellowship for Emerging Journalists, continues to follow this developing story. Further details on the mpox situation and global health responses can be found in the WHO updates.
