By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Jennifer P. Rendon
Health authorities are urging vigilance after Iloilo City confirmed six laboratory-verified mpox (monkeypox) cases and six suspected cases as of Monday, June 9.
City Health Office head Dr. Mary Ann Poli-Diaz said all suspected cases are undergoing laboratory confirmation, and all patients are in stable condition, receiving appropriate medical care under isolation.
Of the confirmed cases, five are male and one is female.
This is the first time the CHO disclosed gender-specific data for confirmed infections.
Poli-Diaz confirmed that the city’s first recorded mpox case on May 28 has fully recovered as of June 5 after completing a 21-day isolation.
She emphasized that none of the patients are close contacts, indicating separate transmissions.
Poli-Diaz said the virus is primarily spread through close, prolonged physical contact, including skin-to-skin and sexual contact.
It can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated materials like towels, bedding and clothing, or direct exposure to lesions or body fluids.
Common mpox symptoms include fever, intense headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes and skin rashes.
Vulnerable groups include immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women and children.
The CHO reported its first mpox case on May 28, followed by a rise to four confirmed and two suspected cases by June 2.
All cases are unrelated, with at least one involving a domestic travel history.
Poli-Diaz stressed that anyone can be affected by mpox, though Iloilo City’s current cases involve adults.
She said the CHO continues to work closely with schools, barangays, boarding houses, religious groups, BPOs, the transport sector and regional offices to strengthen community-level prevention.
The CHO is also conducting orientations focused on prevention measures.
These include practicing safe and responsible sexual behavior, avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals and seeking early consultation for symptoms like rashes and fever.
Residents are advised to isolate if symptomatic and report symptoms truthfully.
The CHO also recommends frequent handwashing, wearing face masks and long-sleeved clothing, avoiding crowded spaces and practicing mindful travel.
In response to delays in test results, the city is requesting approval from the Department of Health to authorize the Uswag Molecular Laboratory in Molo district to conduct confirmatory mpox testing.
Currently, specimens must be sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Metro Manila, causing turnaround delays.
Poli-Diaz said the CHO can only release information approved by the DOH, in line with privacy protocols.
“We cannot release information without DOH approval,” she said.
“What matters for planning is knowing the number of cases, not individual details.”
She added that the same preventive measures apply, regardless of a patient’s age, sex or location.
