Unlike the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), mpox does not spread through the air, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo said mpox is transmitted through close contact with those infected.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) close contact includes skin-to-skin (e.g., touching, anal or vaginal sex); face-to-face (e.g.; talking, singing or breathing); mouth-to-skin (e.g., oral sex); and mouth-to-mouth (e.g., kissing).
“You can also catch mpox from contaminated bedding, towels, surfaces or objects,” it said.
Domingo told the public to stop panic buying of face masks, as these will not will not prevent the spread of the disease.
“Hindi face masks ang panangga sa mpox,” he stressed.
“Pwede kang magface mask pero kung mag ki-kissing ka pa rin, hugging-hugging, makakakuha ka pa rin ng mpox,” Domingo explained.
DOH noted that all mpox cases in the country are categorized as Clade II, the mild, less transmissible variant with a lower mortality rate.IMT
