DOH: No sufficient data on monkeypox local transmission

The article headlined “Monkeypox local transmission in PH? DOH exec can’t tell if there’s any” (News, 9/16/22) by John Eric Mendoza directly implies that the Department of Health (DOH) lacks the information and surveillance capacity to detect monkeypox transmission in the country. This is contrary to the DOH’s statement that it is yet to find sufficient data on the occurrence of local transmission.

The DOH would like to clarify that at present, no additional cases of monkeypox have been reported and there is not enough evidence to state that there is local transmission of the virus. The DOH currently implements intensive surveillance systems instead of active case detection. Similar to how the DOH treats COVID-19, the same principles are being applied in handling the monkeypox situation.

We hope that this headline would be corrected to reflect the DOH’s earlier pronouncement of the absence of sufficient evidence to prove the prevalence of monkeypox local transmission.

We are optimistic that you are one with us in putting an end to the infodemic afflicting the consciousness of our fellow Filipinos in this time of a global health crisis.

ALBERT FRANCIS E. DOMINGO, MD, MSc,
Concurrent Director III,
Communication Office and Disease Prevention and Control Bureau
Department of Health

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