The local government units (LGUs) of Negros Oriental and Dumaguete City are implementing preventive measures against monkeypox (mpox) after cases have been detected in neighboring provinces.
Both LGUs have formed task forces to prevent the spread of mpox in the respective localities amid the rising concern over the infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus.
Under Executive Order No. 6 signed by Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria, the province has officially established the Negros Oriental Mpox Task Force to prevent and control the spread of the virus within the province.
Dumaguete City Health Officer Benjulito Caturay explained that mpox is primarily transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact.
“The mode of transmission for mpox is direct skin-to-skin contact. This is why our preventive measures will always be addressed towards this mode of transmission,” he emphasized.
Frequent handwashing or use of isopropyl alcohol is also advised as a basic preventive measure against the disease.
In his EO, the governor cited the urgent need to strengthen the province’s preparedness and response mechanism to ensure timely detection, isolation, treatment, and containment of suspected and confirmed mpox cases.
Caturay clarified that while mpox is a zoonotic disease — meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans — the recent outbreaks, including those in the United States in 2022 and the Philippines in 2024, showed that the current concern is human-to-human transmission.
“The germ can be found in human secretions, our body discharges, and it can be transmitted through those, including sexual contact,” he said.
The most noticeable symptom is the rash, which may resemble other pox-like infections.
“If you are not careful, it may appear like any other pox infection,” Caturay said.
Health officials are urging residents to seek medical consultation at their barangay health centers if they experience mpox symptoms.
“There is no specific medication for mpox. Just like any other viral diseases … our intervention for mpox is only support treatment,” he said.
Treatment is mainly symptomatic for fever, itching and discomfort.
The period of communicability begins as early as one day before the rash appears and lasts until the last scab falls off, which may take two to four weeks, Caturay added.
The Dumaguete City Health Office has started distributing information, education and communication (IEC) materials to the barangays.
“We already gave them to different barangays. Hopefully, they can also disseminate those IEC materials to their residents,” Caturay said. (PIA-7 Negros Oriental)