The Philippines reported its first case of mpox this year, sparking concerns amid reports of China tightening its border controls to prevent a wider outbreak. Manila’s health department is investigating whether the case involves the dangerous Clade 1b variant that has caused fatalities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sweden, and Pakistan.
The World Health Organization has declared the mpox surge a global public health emergency, with over 14,000 cases and 524 deaths in Africa, surpassing last year’s figures. The 33-year-old Filipino man infected with the virus had not traveled abroad, indicating possible local transmission.
Authorities are waiting for sequencing results to confirm the strain. The case marks the 10th laboratory-confirmed mpox infection in the Philippines, with updated guidelines urging symptomatic individuals to seek immediate consultation and testing.
Meanwhile, China has implemented stricter border surveillance measures for travelers exhibiting symptoms, aiming to prevent the virus from entering the country. These controls will be in place for six months to mitigate the risk of a potential outbreak.