Manila, June 2 -- Wearing face mask will not prevent the spread of mpox (monkeypox), a group of specialists in infectious diseases said Monday, amid information circulating online saying that mandatory face mask and lockdown will be implemented nationwide to curb the spread of the infection.

"Mpox is not known to be transmitted by the airborne route, for example, through the air across rooms, marketplaces, offices, and even inside planes," the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Inc. (PSMID) said in a statement.

"Hence, compulsory masking in these areas or within the broader community is not necessary."

The Department of Health (DOH) has already denied the information regarding the supposed lockdown due to mpox...