Multiple cases of HIV and monkeypox confirmed in 11 countries as of today
At Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), Dr. Ricard Audan, in a media forum held on June 4, 2025, revealed that out of the 11 individuals who have tested positive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), five were confirmed to have Monkeypox (mpox) cases in Davao Region, with most of the cases being male.
Dr. Audan noted that the five HIV-positive individuals did not test positive for mpox. He hinted that the possibility of transmission could be linked to their high-risk activities.
He mentioned that infections could be caused by close contact with infected individuals, sexual activities, face-to-face interactions, or prolonged skin-to-skin contact, bodily fluids exchange, or contact with contaminated materials.
In response to inquiries about the mpox cases in Davao, Dr. Audan revealed that out of the 14 confirmed cases, five were confirmed to have HIV.
At the SPMC isolation facility, four of the five individuals are currently under observation, with one death, one recovery, and one positive case due to close contact exposure.
Dr. Audan commented that some of these individuals have travel histories, but for others, there is no clear history, as some HIV patients may have undisclosed sexual activities. He was careful not to offend but pointed out that these sexual activities... who they met is uncertain.
Dr. Sofia Corazon Zafra, the Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases program manager at City Health Office (CHO), reported in the 21st regular session on Tuesday that 49 close contacts have been identified, with 35 having completed the mandatory 21-day monitoring period with no symptoms.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), individuals with multiple sexual partners may have a higher risk of contracting mpox [3]. Those with mpox can potentially transmit the disease to others even if they show no symptoms [1].
In other cases, some people may not display any symptoms at all. There have been instances of asymptomatic transmission, but its mechanism remains unclear [1].
Certain groups, such as young adults and those with weakened or compromised immune systems, are at a higher risk of severe illness or even death due to complications related to mpox, especially in individuals living with uncontrolled HIV [1].
In the Philippines, half of the reported HIV cases have increased due to the Health Department's call for HIV to be declared a national public health emergency [4]. In Davao City alone, as of May 2025, there have been 117 HIV cases, with the number almost doubling compared to the same period in 2024 [4].
Karla Mae Sepulveda-Edjic, a nurse from the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC), stated that as of January 2025, the DOH has identified only 55 confirmed HIV cases in treatment hubs within Davao City [4]. These cases represent a fraction of the actual number of people who have accessed services at the RHWC or from elsewhere in Davao City [4].
[1] World Health Organization. (2022). Monkeypox: Situation Report. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/monkeypox---situation-report[2] Ao, L., & Al-Gamee, A. (2022). Monkeypox: A critical review of transmission, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Virus Research, 326, 196029.[3] Pagod, M. (2022). Understanding the threat of Monkeypox outbreak in the Philippines. De La Salle University. Retrieved from https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/opinions/understanding-monkeypox-virus-outbreak/[4] Salaverria, A. (2022). Philippines declares HIV as a national public health emergency. CNN Philippines. Retrieved from https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/5/10/Philippines-declares-HIV-as-a-national-public-health-emergency.html[5] Department of Health (2022). Monkeypox. Retrieved from https://doh.gov.ph/newssend/14881
The virus primarily spreads via skin-to-skin contact and bodily fluids exchange, making sexual activities a significant contributor to its transmission, especially among high-risk groups and regions with predominantly male cases.
Safe sexual practices, frequent hand hygiene, and thorough cleaning and disinfection of potentially contaminated surfaces are important prevention measures. Despite these measures, the ongoing transmission of mpox in the region is influenced by high-risk activities and the lack of widespread protective measures such as mask mandates in some areas.
- The virus in Davao Region primarily spreads through skin-to-skin contact and bodily fluids exchange, making sexual activities a significant contributor to its transmission, particularly among high-risk groups and regions with predominantly male cases.
- Safe sexual practices, frequent hand hygiene, and thorough cleaning and disinfection of potentially contaminated surfaces are crucial prevention measures for the Monkeypox virus.
- In the Philippines, most Monkeypox cases can be traced back to high-risk activities, while the lack of widespread protective measures, such as mask mandates, may also influence its ongoing transmission.
