29/05/2025
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is contagious.
How is Mpox spread?
Mpox spreads through close contact with:
✅ Infected people:
• Direct skin-to-skin contact with mpox rashes, scabs, or body fluids.
• Intimate or s*xual contact, including kissing, cuddling, or s*x.
• Prolonged face-to-face contact through respiratory droplets (not as easily as COVID, but still possible).
• Touching items (like clothing, bedding, or towels) that have been used by someone with mpox.
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✅ Infected animals:
• By handling or being bitten/scratched by an infected animal.
• Eating poorly cooked meat from infected animals (rare but possible, mostly in endemic regions).
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🧴 Not spread by:
• Casual conversation
• Briefly passing by someone in a store or on the street
🛑 When is someone contagious?
A person is contagious from the time symptoms start (especially rash) until all lesions have healed and a new layer of skin has formed. This may take 2 to 4 weeks.
🧠 What are the symptoms of Mpox?
Mpox symptoms typically appear within 3 to 17 days after exposure. They usually start like the flu, followed by a rash.
Early symptoms (1–4 days):
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Back pain
• Swollen lymph nodes (this is a key difference from similar diseases like smallpox or chickenpox)
• Chills
• Fatigue
Rash stage:
• Rash often starts on the face, ge****ls, hands, or feet, but can appear anywhere.
• It begins as flat spots, becomes raised, then fluid-filled, and eventually forms scabs that fall off.
• The rash can be painful or itchy.
• Some people may get a rash without the early flu-like symptoms.
🛡️ How to protect yourself from Mpox:
If there’s no known outbreak around you:
• Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.
• Avoid sharing bedding, towels, or clothes with others unless clean.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
If there’s an outbreak or high risk:
• Limit intimate or s*xual contact, especially with new or multiple partners.
• Use barriers (like gloves or condoms) during any contact with rashes.
• Clean shared spaces and objects (like doorknobs, sheets, etc.).
• Avoid close contact with sick animals (especially rodents or primates).
✅ When to see a doctor:
• If you have an unexplained rash, especially if you’ve had recent close contact with someone who might be infected.
• If you develop flu-like symptoms followed by a rash.
💉 Is there a vaccine? 💉
Yes — a vaccine called JYNNEOS is available in some countries for people at higher risk. Ask your local health department if it’s available in your area.
📌 Is JYNNEOS Vaccine is available in the Philippines?
As of May 2025, the JYNNEOS vaccine for mpox is not yet widely available in the Philippines. The Department of Health (DOH) has been working to procure doses, including 2,000 from the World Health Organization, but these have not been distributed for public use yet . 
The DOH has cautioned the public against obtaining mpox vaccines from unauthorized sources, emphasizing that such vaccines may not meet safety and efficacy standards . 
Currently, the DOH is prioritizing the limited vaccine supply for high-risk groups, such as healthcare workers and individuals with increased exposure risk . 
For residents in Davao City and other regions, it’s advisable to stay updated through official DOH announcements and local health advisories regarding vaccine availability.
If you have further questions or need more information on mpox prevention and care, feel free to ask.
