The Quezon City government has started tracing all those who came in close contact with the 33-year-old male mpox patient as he went to two establishments in the city and several other cities in Metro Manila, compromising at least 41 individuals.
In a press conference on Wednesday, August 21, the local government disclosed that the patient went to a dermatology clinic on August 15 for warts removal.
QC Health Department OIC Dr. Ramona Abarquez, QC Mayor Joy Belmonte, and CESU Head Dr. Rolando Cruz during the press conference on Mpox contact tracing on Wednesday, August 21. (Allysa Nievera)
The dermatologist noticed skin lesions (rash-like) on the arms, face, trunk, back, and other parts of the patient's body.
He coordinated with the barangay to transport the patient to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) to collect specimens.
Initial reports showed that the patient went to a spa where he had an alleged intimate contact on E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon City on August 11, four days before the derma consultation.
Mayor Joy Belmonte said the patient had been to different cities before coming to Quezon City.
“He had been to two previous fun/entertainment industry (spa) establishments in other cities in Metro Manila,” she said.
A total of 41 individuals were exposed to the mpox patient, seven of whom are residents of Quezon City.
Three spa workers and four spa clients are currently under quarantine.
Other close contacts were monitored by their respective LGUs.
City Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (CESU) head Dr. Rolando Cruz said they are monitoring the individuals who were in contact with the patient.
“We are really monitoring, tinatawagan namin sila everyday kung meron silang mga symptoms (We are really monitoring, we call them everyday if they have symptoms) ,” he said.
Meanwhile, the city's Business Permit and Licensing Department (BPLD) has ordered the temporary closure of AED Infinity Wellness Spa Inc. on Tuesday, August 20 due to incomplete permits.
"Base sa aming record, bukod sa wala silang business permit, wala rin silang mga kinakailangang ancillary permits tulad ng sanitary permit, environmental clearance, at fire inspection certificate. Ilegal silang nag-ooperate, kaya mataas din ang tsansa na may iba pang ilegal na ginagawa doon (Based on our record, apart from not having a business permit, they also do not have the necessary ancillary permits such as a sanitary permit, environmental clearance, and fire inspection certificate. They are operating illegally, so there is a high chance that there is also something illegal going on there)," Belmonte said.
She also said that workers affected by the closure will be given financial aid under “Alagang QC” program.
“Yung tatlong taga Quezon City na empleyado ay automatic na pong mabibigyan ng ayuda sa ilalim po ng ating alagang qc program (The three employees from Quezon City will automatically be given aid under our Alagang QC program),” Belmonte said.
The program aims to give financial aid to residents who lose their jobs.
“This is an amount that they can use para masustentuhan ang kanilang pamilya habang naghahanap ng trabaho or in this case while their establishment is complying with all the requirements (This is an amount that they can use to support their family while looking for a job or in this case while their establishment is complying with all the requirements),” she added.
Amid the local transmission of mpox, the local government assured the residents that they should not “panic” about the situation.
“Hindi tayo dapat mag panic or be alarmed kasi alam natin kung papano tayo mahahawa, kailangan nating protektahan yung sarili natin,” Dr. Cruz said.