11 patients with confirmed, suspected mpox are HIV-positive
June 6, 2025
A recent cluster of mpox cases at the Southern Philippines Medical Center revealed a concerning overlap: 11 of 14 patients also tested positive for HIV. The majority were male, with no significant travel history, and transmissions likely occurred through close or sexual contact. While health authorities urge caution, they clarified that mpox is not airborne, and lockdowns are unnecessary. Facemask use is recommended in crowded spaces but not mandatory. With mpox declared a global public health emergency in 2024 and HIV infections in the Philippines surging, officials are calling for vigilance, testing, and community education on both diseases’ overlapping risks.
The Southern Philippines Medical Center has confirmed a troubling intersection between two public health threats: mpox and HIV. Of 14 patients recently hospitalized for confirmed or suspected mpox infections, 11 were also diagnosed with HIV. Most patients were male and had no international travel history, suggesting local transmission via close skin-to-skin or sexual contact. Health officials note this reflects the known overlap in transmission networks between mpox and HIV, a trend seen globally since the 2022 mpox outbreak.
Dr. Ricardo Audan, SPMC’s chief, emphasized that mpox is not airborne and urged local government units to reconsider facemask mandates. However, masks remain advised in crowded public settings. While no lockdowns are planned, Governor Yvonne Cagas of Davao del Sur and officials in Compostela, Davao de Oro, enacted temporary facemask mandates in response to rising mpox alerts. These measures reflect public anxiety amid rising infections, but experts stress that mpox is primarily spread through close physical contact.
Simultaneously, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa raised alarm over a 500% rise in HIV cases in early 2025, averaging 57 new infections daily. The surge intensifies the need for integrated public health messaging, community-level education, and access to preventive tools. Both HIV and mpox can present with similar early symptoms—such as rashes, fever, and lymph node swelling—underscoring the importance of accurate diagnosis and care.
Declared a global public health emergency in 2024, mpox continues to spread in vulnerable populations with insufficient access to care and vaccines. As cases grow in the Philippines, the overlap with HIV points to urgent gaps in testing, stigma reduction, and treatment access. To manage both threats effectively, a unified response that emphasizes early detection, community engagement, and equity in healthcare delivery is essential.