Face Masks Not Needed for Monkeypox Transmission, Says DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) clarified on June 1 that face masks are not necessary to prevent monkeypox transmission. Unlike COVID-19, monkeypox spreads through close and intimate contact, not through airborne particles. This means that wearing masks does not significantly reduce the risk of catching monkeypox.
“Sa airborne illness ‘yun kagaya ng Covid, pero sa sakit na ito na skin-to-skin contact ang hawaan, ay mag-long sleeves ka at huwag dumikit sa mga taong may nakapantal. Kung ikaw naman ay may sakit ay maglagi ka sa bahay para hindi ka makagawa ng ibang tao,” DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa explained. He emphasized that avoiding skin-to-skin contact is the key to protection.
Understanding Monkeypox Spread and Protection
Secretary Herbosa stressed that monkeypox transmission happens mainly through close, intimate contact. Therefore, public health efforts should focus on avoiding direct contact with rashes rather than relying on face masks. He encouraged people to wear long sleeves and refrain from touching those with skin lesions.
Unlike COVID-19, monkeypox—especially the Clade II strain currently found in the country—is mild and self-limiting. “Iyong Mpox natin is ‘yung Clade II, ito ‘yung mild at self-limiting, ibig sabihin magpapantal-pantal ka, pangit pero mag-re-recover ka at kung mag-stay ka lang sa bahay at mag-isolate ka, hindi ka makakahawa ng ibang tao so hindi siya nakakatakot,” Herbosa said.
No Detected Cases of Deadly Monkeypox Strain
The DOH official also clarified that the more dangerous Clade I-B strain, known for higher mortality and originating from Africa, has not been detected in the Philippines. “Pero iyong Clade I-B na binabantayan natin, ‘yung galing Africa, iyan ang nakakamatay, mataas ang mortality so iyan ang hinahanap naming. Wala pa kaming nakita since last year,” he noted.
Herbosa also disputed rumors on social media about a spike in monkeypox cases and an impending lockdown. “Hindi po dumadami [ang Mpox]. Kasi noong kinumpara namin ang Mpox last year at Mpox this year, mas mababa. Pati ‘yung Mpox ng May at April, mas mataas pa ‘yung April. Walang katotohanan na nag-i-increase. Wala rin katotohanan na mag-lo-lockdown. Walang lockdown,” he declared.
The DOH encourages those infected to stay home and isolate until fully recovered to prevent spreading the virus. The public is urged to focus on avoiding skin contact with infected individuals rather than unnecessarily wearing face masks.
For more news and updates on monkeypox transmission, visit Filipinokami.com.