• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The 20-year-old female resident of Talisay City, Negros Occidental, who was infected by monkeypox (mpox), is now in stable condition, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) confirmed yesterday.
Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, provincial health officer, said other members of her family did not show any symptoms, based on the results of the contact tracing conducted by the City Health Office.
The patient has a history of visiting a place, where mpox cases were also reported although they cannot confirm she got infected there.
As of this time, Negros Occidental has already logged two mpox cases, the other one was recorded in the highly-urbanized Bacolod City, where the patient is also in stable condition, according to the City Health Office.
Pinongan said the Talisay City patient experienced unexplained rashes and fatigue in the second week of June, which prompted her to seek medical attention.
She was advised to go on isolation at her residence and over the weekend, he test turned out be positive for mpox.
Mpox is a viral illness that spreads primarily through close and prolonged contact with an infected individual.
Transmission may occur through respiratory droplets, direct contact with skin lesions or bodily fluids, or through contaminated materials such as clothing or beddings.
Pinongan told the public not to be alarmed, stressing that the patient has already been treated and placed under isolation.
She said the PHO is also closely monitoring two to three suspected mpox cases in Negros Occidental. | GB
