Reelectionist Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday, March 3, called on the public and health authorities to remain vigilant against the monkeypox or mpox disease, emphasizing the importance of maintaining proactive measures in the Philippines, given the potential risk of importation of cases.

Go made the call following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) renewed classification of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern.

Mpox is a viral zoonosis caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus and is characterized by symptoms such as fever, a distinctive rash, and swollen lymph nodes, and it spreads through close contact with lesions, bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reaffirmed the emergency status due to the continued upsurge of cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its spread to neighboring countries.

The organization cited ongoing violence in affected regions, hindering response efforts, and a lack of funding as critical concerns.

“'Wag nating hintayin na maapektuhan tayo at lumala bago tayo kumilos. Ang ating gobyerno at mga health authorities ay dapat masusing magbantay upang hindi makapasok o kumalat ang mpox sa ating bansa (Let’s not wait for our country to also be affected before we do something. Our government and health authorities should be vigilant in order to prevent the disease from entering and spreading here in our country),” said Go.

Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, pointed out that even if the mpox disease is historically endemic to regions in Central and West Africa, recent outbreaks have demonstrated its capacity to cross borders.

This has prompted global health authorities to adopt stringent monitoring and response strategies.

Go said it is imperative for the Department of Health (DOH) and local government units (LGUs) to strengthen border surveillance and ensure the availability of necessary medical interventions.

"Importante ang mabilisang pagtugon at sapat na impormasyon para maiwasan ang panic. Dapat handa tayo sa testing, treatment, at quarantine procedures kung sakaling may pumasok na kaso (Swift response and sufficient information is important to avoid triggering panic. We should be ready for testing, treatment and quarantine procedures should one case enter the country),” he stressed.

The senatorial candidate also stressed the role of public awareness and personal responsibility in disease prevention.

"Sa panahon ngayon, hindi na lang gobyerno ang may tungkulin sa kalusugan natin. Responsibilidad din natin bilang mamamayan ang pagsunod sa mga patakaran at pag-iingat (These days, it’s not only the government that has the responsibility over our health. It is also our responsibility as citizens to follow policies and to be careful),” he said.