• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Monday, June 2, ruled out closing of borders amid confirmed emerging diseases in Panay and Siquijor Islands, which already had two fatalities.
“We are not experiencing cases of mpox, glanders, or melioidosis in Negros Island,” he said.
On the other side of the island, the Negros Oriental provincial government created an mpox task force to institutionalize measures to prevent and control the spread of such virus in the province, based on the executive order issued by Governor Manuel Sagarbarria.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported that two Siquijor residents died after being inflicted with melioidosis, a bacterial infection that infects humans and animals and is often spread through contact with contaminated soil, air or water, citing a study of the US Center for Disease Control.
Stressing that the two cases were tested twice, Health Undersecretary Mary Ann Maestral said the genomic sequencing at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine showed that the two were hit with melioidosis, not by glanders disease.
Four other Siquijor residents were also reported to have contracted a similar disease.
Lacson said the persons infected with melioidosis in Siqujior were already identified and treated as well as those in Panay, who have been infected by mpox, were also accorded with treatment.
“The good news is, it has not reached home Negros Island yet,” he said.
The type of mpox that is currently emerging in the Philippines is Clade 2 which is transmitted through skin to skin contact and sexual intercourse, according to the DOH.
Maestral said there is already a vaccine being offered in the Philippines, but the DOH still needs to investigate it
The DOH assured the public that it is on top of the situation to prevent the spread of bacterial diseases in Negros Island, which is composed of Negros Occidental and Oriental provinces as well as Siquijor island-province.
Lacson advised those who have been experiencing rashes to have it checked immediately, and not take chances, and wear face mask in crowded places. | GB
