Philippine Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced today (September 16) that the Department has detected three more ‌cases of monkeypox or mpox, bringing the total number of ⁤confirmed cases nationwide to 18.

According to Herbosa, five of the 18 patients have recovered, and there have ⁤been no⁢ deaths from the⁢ virus. ⁤The ⁤three newly diagnosed⁤ patients are all​ men ⁢from‍ Manila and surrounding areas.

Herbosa stated, “Fortunately, ⁢the 18 patients did not⁢ infect ​anyone, and there is no epidemiological link. This means that the patient did not spread ​the virus during ⁢quarantine.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a ⁣public health emergency⁤ of international concern on August 14, after the number of cases⁤ skyrocketed in many parts of Africa, according to ⁣Xinhua News⁣ Agency.