Bacolod City recorded its first confirmed case of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) yesterday, as the city government assures residents that all necessary measures are in place to manage the situation effectively.
“The patient is stable, properly monitored, and currently in isolation and receiving appropriate medical care,” Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said in a statement yesterday.
He said contact tracing efforts are underway to identify and monitor individuals who may have been exposed, aiming to prevent further transmission.
The City Health Office (CHO), in close coordination with Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, has activated its protocols to manage the situation and ensure continued public safety.
Benitez said the city government assures the public that all necessary preventive measures and health protocols are being strictly enforced.
“The city government has long prepared for situations like this,” he said.
“Mpox is a manageable disease, and with proper health protocols, we can prevent further spread. Let us be guided by facts, not fear,” the mayor added.
The Bacolodnons were advised to follow hygiene practices and observe health protocols, such as
* Frequent handwashing and wearing masks in crowded or enclosed areas
* Avoiding close contact with individuals who have flu-like symptoms or unexplained skin rashes
* Staying informed only through official sources such as the Department of Health and the Bacolod City Public Information Office
The residents are encouraged to seek medical attention if suspected mpox symptoms develop.
“Let us be guided by facts, not fear. We urge everyone to avoid spreading unverified information that may cause undue alarm,” Benitez said.
The CHO said certain individuals — the immunocompromised, pregnant women, children, senior citizens, and those with chronic illnesses — may be more vulnerable to mpox and should take extra precautions.
Pregnant women who may contract mpox are advised to consult healthcare providers to ensure appropriate monitoring for both mother and child. Delivery in hospital settings remains the safest option.
The CHO said that for now there is no specific antiviral treatment for mpox available locally. Supportive care and management of symptoms remain effective.
Meanwhile, the city government strongly discourages any form of discrimination toward mpox patients or their families.
“Public understanding, compassion and support are vital in ensuring full recovery, both physically and emotionally,” the CHO said.
Mpox, a viral disease, presents symptoms similar to other infections, including fever, headache, body and back aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
Usually, the person infected experiences the following symptoms: rashes or hives with blisters on the face, hands, feet, body, eyes, mouth, or genitals that last for two to four weeks; fever; headache; muscle pain; back pain; weakness; swollen lymph nodes; and sore throat.
Mpox symptoms appear five to 21 days after contact with an infected person.
The patient is contagious from the day of the first symptoms until all the scabs of the rash have spontaneously fallen off.
Early diagnosis and treatment are vital to prevent the spread of the virus and protect community health./JB, WDJ