KIDAPAWAN CITY – The Integrated Provincial Health Office of Cotabato province has urged the public to remain calm and vigilant after the first case of monkeypox was confirmed in the town of Tulunan on April 25.

In a statement, the IPHO said they received information from the Department of Health-Center for Health and Development confirming one case of monkeypox Clade 2. The patient, a 30-year-old male, is stable and has been isolated, the IPHO added.
According to the World Health Organization, Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus.
The ongoing global outbreak that started in 2022 is caused by Clade 2, which is less deadly and infectious, compared to Clade 1.
The IPHO bared that the patient sought early consultation and has been cooperative with the local health office’s contact tracing initiatives.
“All close contacts identified have been traced and quarantined. None of the close contacts are showing any signs or symptoms of the disease. The Provincial and Municipal Health Offices charged with the care of the patient are currently on alert and has exhausted all public health measures to ensure that the spread of this disease is controlled and to prevent further spread of the disease,” the IPHO said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health in the neighboring Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao urged constituents to be cautious and vigilant even as there are no reported cases of monkeypox yet.
The MOH also urged the public to take note of the symptoms such as fever and chills, headaches and muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes, and rashes that often appearing in face, hands, and genitals.
To help contain the spread of the virus, both health offices have urged the public to observe preventive procedures for avoiding infectious diseases such as covering your mouth and noses when coughing or sneezing and using face masks when going out in a crowded public space.
Like in the pandemic, the IPHO recommended washing hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer as well as refrain from contact with individuals who have signs and symptoms.