• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod urged concerned offices May 28 to establish measures preventing the spread of monkeypox (mpox) in this highly-urbanized city.
The resolution, authored by Councilor Jason Villarosa, came in the wake of one confirmed laboratory-tested case of mpox and four suspect cases in Iloilo City, as of May 27.
In South Cotabato, 19 cases related to mpox had been accounted for, as of May 22, with 10 confirmed cases; while the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Health Office also confirmed the first case of mpox in the province, as of May 24.
“Considering the close proximity of these provinces to our city, preventive measures are highly recommended, according to the discretion and expertise of the agencies and departments concerned,” the SP said in approving the resolution.
The public should also be made aware of personal preventive measures needed against mpox spread, it added.
Monkeypox is a viral disease transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, via bodily fluids, or respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face exposure, or contaminated beddings and other materials, the City Health Office said.
Symptoms that usually appear five to 21 days after exposure include fever, headache, muscle and back pains, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and painful or itchy rash that often starts on the face, spreads, and evolves into pustule or pus-filled skin lesion.
Preventive measures include avoiding close or intimate contact with infected person/animal, maintaining personal hygiene, not sharing personal items, thoroughly cooking meat, and seeking prompt medical consultation when symptoms appear, among others.
The CHO said May 28 that Bacolod has zero mpox infection, as of May 17. | CGC
