On Wednesday, the Department of Health (DOH) stated that the public can now access free mpox tests in government hospitals.
According to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa during the budget deliberations in the House of Representatives, she asked PhilHealth to create a ready benefit package for mpox testing because the test kit will run out pretty soon.
“We’ll have to procure additional test kits” he stated.
The Chief of DOH clarified that the mpox virus cannot be transmitted through quick skin-to-skin contact, but “Higher risk kapag longer ang exposure and more intimate ‘yung skin-to-skin contact,” he said.
He also added that their advisory is frequent hand washing because the mpox virus is deactivated by soap and water.
Since July 2022, the reported cases of mpox were 17, with 8 of its cases currently active.
Photo Courtesy: Sarah Reingewirtz