By Perla Lena
ILOILO CITY – The City Health Office (CHO) on Monday reported three more laboratory-confirmed mpox (formerly monkeypox) cases in this city, increasing the number of confirmed infections to four.
At a media conference, CHO head Dr. Mary Ann Diaz said they are still waiting for the results of the tests regarding two suspected mpox cases from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
“In total, we have six cases reported in the city: four confirmed and two suspected. All patients are in stable condition, currently receiving medical treatment, and are under isolation,” Diaz said.
The patients are all adults and currently admitted to a medical facility, she said, adding some of them have comorbidities.
Of the total cases, one has a companion with a history of local travel.
According to Diaz, the close contacts of the patients are in the community, but citing guidelines, she said they cannot be ordered to isolate themselves if they are not exhibiting symptoms.
It is “highly recommended,” however, for close contacts to isolate themselves even if they have no symptoms, the official said.
Diaz said they are actively engaging with schools, barangay officials, and border checkpoints to strengthen collective response aimed at prevention and containment of the infectious disease.
She also urged the community to exercise caution and vigilance, seek early consultation when they have symptoms and report accurately and honestly the findings, isolate when symptomatic, and practice preventive measures like frequent hand washing and avoiding crowded places.
CHO assistant head, Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, said Mayor Jerry Treñas will be requesting the Department of Health to allow the Uswag Molecular Laboratory to perform tests for faster turnaround time.
“Our molecular laboratory has the capacity to test mpox,” Fortuna said.
The CHO, meanwhile, is set to hold a series of orientations with different sectors in the city, including department heads, barangay captains, business, religious, schools, and transport, with regard to preparedness against mpox.
Diaz said they will also identify a temporary isolation facility should there be a further increase in the number of cases. (PNA)
