By Jheruleene Anne Ramos
The Department of Health (DOH) has warned the public against fake news circulating on social media amid a rise in monkeypox (mpox) cases across the Philippines.
In an advisory released on May 31, the DOH urged Filipinos to stay vigilant, rely only on credible sources and follow the agency’s official Facebook page for accurate updates.
The warning came after the health agency immediately debunked news circulating online that it has proposed a nationwide lockdown on June 10, saying that such action is unnecessary since mpox is not an airborne disease.
“There is no lockdown anywhere in the Philippines. That is fake news,” the warning stated, according to Rappler.
In a press briefing on June 1, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa reaffirmed that there are no plans for a lockdown, stressing that such measures are reserved for pandemics.
“There is no plan to have a lockdown. We need first to declare an outbreak if there is a need, but there is no outbreak [of mpox],” he said, as quoted by the Philippine star.
No mpox outbreak, only Clade II variant detected
The DOH clarified that the country is not experiencing an mpox outbreak and attributed the increased media attention to more active advisories by local government units (LGUs).
Data from the DOH showed that more than 50 cases of mpox were recorded in April 2025, while fewer than 50 cases were reported in May, bringing the total detected cases in the country to 911 since 2024.
The DOH also said that the authorities only detected the Clade II of the mpox virus, which is milder compared to Clade I-b, which has not yet been found in the country.
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Mindanao region records mpox increase
Despite the absence of a national outbreak, several regions in Mindanao have reported increased mpox activity.
In the SOCCSKSARGEN region, 14 confirmed cases were recorded between April and May 23, 2025, according to DOH-12.
In Davao City, the health office confirmed six mpox cases as of May 30, with four additional patients testing positive and now in stable condition.
Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM) reported two confirmed mpox cases.
Cases also reported in Central Visayas, Luzon
Central Visayas has also recorded a total of seven confirmed cases of mpox from 2024 to present, with one fatality, according to DOH-7.
The deceased patient, from Talisay City, was the first confirmed case in Cebu, though the DOH clarified that the individual died due to complications from other illnesses, Cebu Daily News reported.
In Central Luzon, Cabanatuan City recorded three cases involving children under 15—two boys and a girl—who have all fully recovered, according to Edwin Manabat, head of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit.
Authorities urge caution, rule out mask mandates
In response to rising case numbers, the DOH and LGUs pledged to enhance health surveillance and urged the public to observe preventive measures such as frequent handwashing and avoiding skin contact such as kissing and hugging.
Although the DOH clarified there is no harm in wearing face masks, it stressed that such protection is not effective against mpox, which is not transmitted through the air.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus that can be spread between animals and human beings through physical contact.
Symptoms include rash on the palms, face, and feet, as well as fever, muscle pain, sore throat, headache, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, and fatigue.
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