GMA Integrated News has labeled as fake an art card that has circulated online that has mimicked its branding.

The card claimed that Luzon may be placed under “total lockdown” because of Mpox.

The fabricated image also attributed the claim falsely to the Department of Health (DOH).

GMA said it did not produce nor publish such a report and warned the public against sharing unverified content online.

DOH: Mpox CASES WENT DOWN IN MAY

DOH said the Mpox situation in the country is not alarming and does not warrant lockdowns.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, DOH spokesperson Dr. Albert Domingo said there were less than 50 Mpox cases recorded in May. This is lower than the over 50 cases logged in April.

“Kapag tumingin kasi sa total, ang impression parang dami-dami nang kaso,” Domingo said.

He added that the agency is focusing on month-to-month monitoring rather than cumulative totals, which can create a misleading impression.

ONLY MILD Mpox VARIANT IN PH

Domingo also clarified that the Mpox cases in the Philippines involve only the Clade II variant, which is known to be milder and less transmissible than Clade 1b — a variant that has not been detected in the country.

“Hindi natin kailangang mabahala dahil ang variant [ng Mpox] dito sa Pilipinas ay Clade II,” Domingo said.

DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa likewise assured the public that most patients recover within 2 to 3 weeks, and that deaths linked to Mpox in the Philippines were primarily due to underlying complications from advanced HIV, not the virus itself.

NOT AIRBORNE

Domingo further explained that Mpox is spread through close, skin-to-skin contact, not through the air. While some local government units have imposed face mask requirements, he said such measures may not directly prevent Mpox transmission.

“Ang Mpox ay hindi airborne... Depende sa mode of transmission ang dapat na ginagawa na precaution,” he said.

He urged LGUs to coordinate with the DOH for science-based response measures.

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes Mpox as a viral disease that spreads through close contact with an infected person or contaminated materials.

Symptoms include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, with most cases being mild and self-resolving.

The global health body continues to monitor Mpox cases worldwide but maintains that proper hygiene, awareness, and early reporting are key to managing outbreaks.

PANATA KONTRA FAKE NEWS

The incident is the latest in a string of online disinformation attempts using the GMA Integrated News brand falsely.

The organization continues to monitor, report, and request the takedown of fake content that misleads the public.

GMA Integrated News reminds the public to verify the source of information before sharing, and to trust only official channels for news updates.