The Department of Health-SOCCSKSARGEN (DOH-12) has reported that the region has logged 14 confirmed cases of Mpox from April to May 23, 2025.

Of these cases, 10 were recorded in South Cotabato, three in Sultan Kudarat, and one in North Cotabato.

Several suspected cases are still undergoing confirmatory testing.

Authorities said it remains unclear how the patients contracted the virus.

“Ang mga kaso natin ay naka-isolate na, so merong nasa ospital, meron din sa bahay, and meron din sa isolation facility,” DOH-12 Regional Emerging and Re-emering Infectious Disease Program Manager, Jeldjeann Seno, said.

DOH-12 added that the close contacts of the patients were not isolated, but they are observing self-monitoring protocols and are being monitored closely by the local government.

SPREAD DURING POLLS?

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health (MOH) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) raised the possibility that the May 12, 2025 elections may have contributed to the spread of the disease due to crowding at voting precincts. Mpox is known to spread rapidly through direct skin-to-skin contact.

The Bangsamoro government has reported that two confirmed cases of Mpox have been detected in the region while six others are currently being monitored closely.

The two cases involved a 59-year-old old from Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte and a 28-year-old woman from Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

MOH said the two patients began showing symptoms in the first week of May and the results of the tests came out on May 20.

“Kung titingnan natin ang history nitong mga pasyente, wala silang travel outside the area o kaya masasabi natin na travel outside the country. Pero ang tingin ko, this is an imported case coming from nearby municipalities and provinces,” MOH Director, Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., said.

MOH added that Mpox is difficult to detect early as its symptoms resemble those of the flu.

Mpox symptoms include fever, chills, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, extreme fatigue, headache, sore throat, anal pain, and painful urination. Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus and usually results in mild illness with rashes.

“Based doon sa kanyang manifestation sa signs and symptoms, if this is suggestive then most probably, kukunan kaagad siya ng sample kasi alam natin this month and succeeding is flu season, lahat sinisipon, inuubo, may lagnat, masakit ang kasu-kasuan, masakit ang katawan  and those are also signs and symptons shared by MPOX, so ang hirap i-distinguish on the early part,” Sinolinding added.

Health authorities advised the public to follow protocols, including frequent handwashing, avoiding crowded places, and refraining from skin-to-skin contact.