ILIGAN CITY – The Lanao del Sur Integrated Provincial Health Office has reported a suspected monkeypox case involving a resident of Barangay Masao, Malabang, Lanao del Sur.

The patient was taken to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City and laboratory confirmation of the case is pending.

IPHO chief Dr. Alinader Minalang said that immediate contact tracing was conducted and seven individuals had mpox symptoms. Five of them are active and two have already healed.

"Suspect pa lang kasi iyong kahapon, merong na-admit sa Amai Pakpak Medical Center na isang pasyente. Meron siya symptoms na similar sa mpox, pero kailangan pa iyang i-confirm thru laboratory. So kinuhanan siya ng sample sa kanyang skin lesions at pinadala sa RITM sa Manila, so hinintay pa namin iyon para to confirm, because it could be another viral disease like chicken pox, para kasi kapareho din niya ang hitsura,” said Minalang.

(The person has a suspected case of mpox and was admitted to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center. The patient had mpox symptoms but these have to be confirmed by a laboratory. Samples were taken from skin lesions and were sent to the RITM in Manila for confirmation. It could be another viral disease like chickenpox which is similar to mpox)

The IPHO has raised Code White Alert and has activated disease surveillance units across the province to enhance monitoring, reporting, and response to potential cases and reactivated  the task force to ensure coordinated containment efforts, including contact tracing and public awareness campaigns.

"The safety and well-being of our community remain our top priority. Let us work together to prevent the spread of this disease by staying informed, following health guidelines, and respecting the privacy of those affected," the IPHO said.

Mpox is a viral illness that can spread through close contact with an infected person, animal, or contaminated objects. Symptoms include fever, rashes, or lesions on the skin, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and fatigue.