The Department of Health (DOH) Western Visayas Center for Health and Development stepped up its surveillance efforts for Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, following the detection of a new case in the Philippines on August 18, 2024.
Dr. Bea Natalaray, Medical Officer IV and head of Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases at DOH Western Visayas, assured the public of the agency’s preparedness. She noted various measures are already in place across the region’s surveillance units.
“Surveillance is crucial, and our Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit consistently reminds the provincial and municipal levels to immediately send specimens from patients exhibiting symptoms or suspected Mpox cases to our regional office,” Natalaray explained
“From there, we facilitate further testing at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM),” she added. Natalaray also emphasized the importance of monitoring all health facilities, including district hospitals and clinics, to quickly identify and manage both confirmed and suspected cases.
She urged families and caregivers to be vigilant in recognizing Mpox symptoms, such as skin rashes or mucosal lesions, which can persist for 2-4 weeks, as well as fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, with symptoms including skin rashes or mucosal lesions. It spreads through direct contact with skin or mucosal lesions, respiratory secretions, or indirectly through contaminated objects like bedding or clothing.
Natalaray called on all health facilities to promptly report individuals showing Mpox-like rashes or confirmed cases and to collect samples for laboratory testing. Suspected Mpox cases are advised to undergo complete isolation for at least 21 days or until lesions and rashes heal.
Currently, there is no specific treatment for Mpox, and antiviral therapies are still pending approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
Natalaray reassured the public that the DOH Western Visayas is well-equipped with the necessary logistics, including personal protective equipment, ready to be distributed to health facilities as needed.
She reported that, as of their latest monitoring, there have been no new Mpox cases in the region, which remains “Mpox-free.” The region recorded one Mpox case back in 2022.
The DOH is also ramping up its monitoring efforts at Iloilo International Airport, especially with the resumption of international flights to Singapore and Hong Kong.
To prevent the entry of Mpox into Western Visayas, the DOH is strengthening coordination with the Bureau of Quarantine and the Bureau of Customs.
Among the agency’s plans is the identification of hospitals in the region prepared to handle Mpox cases, such as the Western Visayas Medical Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, and the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City, Negros Island.
Natalaray revealed that efforts are underway to enable these hospitals to detect the Mpox virus onsite, eliminating the need to send samples to RITM. “We are working on developing the capacity for Mpox detection right here in the region,” she said.
The DOH Western Visayas also urges local government units to assist in surveillance, particularly in tracking new arrivals from overseas, especially from African regions, and to report any individuals showing Mpox symptoms to health facilities immediately.
Natalaray advised the public to continue practicing health protocols, such as wearing face masks when coughing, ensuring good airflow in homes and workplaces, frequent handwashing, using alcohol or sanitizers, and avoiding contact with individuals showing Mpox symptoms.
Earlier, the Philippines reported its 10th laboratory-confirmed Mpox case, involving a 33-year-old male with no history of international travel.
The patient had close, intimate contact three weeks before developing symptoms, which began with a fever and later included a distinctive rash on various parts of his body.
