DOH warns vs. false social media posts on mpox, 'lockdowns'

The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday warned the public against misleading social media posts on the transmission of monkeypox (mpox) and that supposed lockdowns have been implemented in the country to contain the virus.

DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Dr. Albert Domingo asked the public to reject such information, stressing that mpox numbers in May have actually declined compared to cases logged in April 2025.

"Huwag paniwalaan ang mga kumakalat na pekeng Facebook post na may mapanlinlang na marketing strategy, pekeng endorsement mula sa mga eksperto, at hindi makatotohanang mga pahayag tungkol sa kalusugan," Domingo said in an audio statement.

(Do not believe fake Facebook posts making rounds on the internet that use deceptive marketing strategies, fake endorsements from experts, and false health claims.)

Domingo added that there was no need to implement any lockdown, since mpox is not spread through air particles.

"Walang pangangailangang magkaroon ng lockdown dahil sa mpox, dahil hindi ito airborne (There is no need for a lockdown due to mpox because it is not airborne)," Domingo said.

According to Domingo, the DOH has coordinated with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to take down the misleading accounts.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday, Domingo said the wearing of face masks—as imposed by some local government units (LGUs)—will not prevent the spread of mpox because the virus is transmitted through skin to skin or close contact.

Local government units may coordinate with the DOH, Domingo said, to check the precautions needed to the transmission of diseases.

Allaying fears of a rising trend, Domingo said mpox cases were higher in 2024, and that the figure for May 2025 was lower compared to April 2025.

The fight against mpox has gained traction, Domingo said, as several LGUs have stepped up their efforts.

"Nagkataon lamang po na nage-headline dahil aktibo at nag-a-anunsyo na ngayon ang mga LGU," Domingo said.

(It just so happened that it's making headlines now because LGUs have become more active and have been issuing announcements.)

According to the DOH, the country has yet to detect a case of the more severe mpox clade 1B.

"Wala pa ring mpox ng clade 1B na nakikita dito sa Pilipinas. Panay clade 2 ang meron natin. Mas mababa ang mortality o pagkamatay ng clade 2. Nasa mga 1 sa bawat 10, kumpara sa 4 hanggang 5 ng clade 1B," Domingo said.

(We have not detected any clade 1B mpox cases in the Philippines. What we have are clade 2 cases, which have a lower mortality rate of about 1 out of 10. In comparison, deaths from clade 1B are about 4 or 5 [out of 10.])

He advised the public to get accurate health information from the DOH website and social media accounts.

Also in his interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Domingo said over 50 mpox cases were recorded in April, as compared to less than 50 this May.

He added that some previously reported mpox cases were later verified to be chicken pox. — VDV, GMA Integrated News