BENITEZ
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Albee Benitez has directed the City Health Office to identify the source of the first monkeypox (Mpox) case here that was not a local transmission.
Benitez said that local health authorities are probing how the patient acquired the infection, despite not having a travel history outside this city.
He speculated that this variant may have been acquired by the patient from persons, who he met, who came from a different country or place and visited here.
Benitez said that based on the information he has, this mpox variant is not readily transmitted through droplets, but through intimate contacts or saliva. “But still, we will be vigilant,” he added.
Benitez said thermal scanners have been placed at Bredco Port here to detect travelers who are carriers of flu-like symptoms.
He said that authorities have to ensure that symptoms of mpox can be easily identified to enable people to have a sense of security and peace of mind.
Benitez said that he will ask the provincial government of Negros Occidental and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to provide thermal scanners at the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City.
He stressed that this is an isolated case.
The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) here confirmed that as of June 14, it is currently caring for the first confirmed case of Mpox, which was referred from the CHO on June 13.
The patient is stable and is receiving appropriate care in isolation and all necessary infection control measures have been implemented in accordance with public health guidelines.
The hospital said that it is working closely with the Local Health System to provide the appropriate hospital response for people who may need tertiary care.
“We want to reassure our patients, staff, and visitors that the risk to the general public remains low. It is not known to be transmitted via the airborne route, meaning across rooms and public spaces,” the hospital stated.
They encouraged the community to remain calm and stay informed through official health channels, and advised sick individuals to seek consultation early especially if they have a rash, avoid close skin to skin contact, and do not share personal items.
They urged the public to continue practicing good hygiene and wash hands frequently.
The hospital reminded the public that discrimination against any disease, including Mpox, is unnecessary. “We urge the public to be vigilant but remain kind towards potentially sick individuals,” it said.