The Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Negros Occidental has issued a health advisory on mpox (formerly monkeypox) to ensure preparedness even as the Provincial Health Office (PHO) has not recorded any confirmed cases of the viral illness in the province.
In a memorandum released on Monday, June 2, Schools Division Superintendent Anthony Liobet said upcoming major school activities are expected to result in an influx of people in schools and offices.
“This health advisory is issued as a reference and guide. It forms part of the division’s preventive measures against the possible occurrence and transmission of mpox in school communities,” he added.
Public schools will hold “Brigada Eskwela” from June 9 to 13, in preparation for the opening of classes on June 16.
In the advisory, Liobet said the division office will coordinate regularly with the PHO and local health authorities regarding updates on mpox cases and guidelines, as well as monitor and gather reports on health incidents from schools and facilitate appropriate responses.
He advised schools to reinforce basic health and hygiene practices, including proper handwashing, respiratory etiquette and environmental sanitation, and ensure the availability of functional hand hygiene facilities in strategic areas.
Liobet emphasized the need to conduct information drives among learners, parents and personnel on mpox symptoms, transmission and prevention, and display informative posters in visible areas of the school.
Schools have also been instructed to implement crowd control and physical distancing measures during Brigada Eskwela, class opening and other large gatherings.
“Monitor learners and personnel for signs and symptoms of mpox. Immediately report any suspected cases to the nearest health center and the Schools Division Office through the School Health and Nutrition Unit,” Liobet said.
As part of preventive measures, those not feeling well are advised to stay at home and indoors, while learners showing symptoms must be allowed to shift to distance learning modalities and personnel showing symptoms must be allowed to work from home.
Mpox signs and symptoms include skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last two to four weeks, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
According to health authorities, the predominant mode of transmission of mpox is prolonged skin-to-skin contact such as kissing, sexual relations, and hugging persons infected with the virus.
Mpox can also spread through respiratory droplets from sick individuals and come into contact with surfaces contaminated by material from mpox lesions like towels or bed linens. (PNA)