• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Talisay City in Negros Occidental has recorded its first confirmed case of monkeypox (mpox), Mayor Neil Lizares announced Monday night.
The patient is currently in stable condition, under close medical supervision, properly isolated, and receiving appropriate medical treatment to manage symptoms, according to Lizares.
The first mpox case in the highly urbanized Bacolod City was also confirmed, with the patient likewise reported to be in stable condition, the City Health Office said.
Mayor Lizares said that contact tracing and all necessary health protocols were promptly implemented over the past few days following the receipt of the patient’s sample, initially suspected of mpox infection. These steps were taken to prevent further transmission.
“We assure everyone that the Talisay City Government is fully prepared to handle this situation,” Lizares said.
“Mpox is a manageable disease, and with strict adherence to proper health protocols, we can effectively prevent its further spread,” he added.
In a public advisory, health authorities urged individuals who are sick—especially those with rashes—to seek medical consultation early.
The public is also advised to avoid close skin-to-skin contact, practice good hygiene, refrain from sharing personal items, and treat potentially sick individuals with compassion.
Mpox is a viral illness that spreads primarily through close and prolonged contact with an infected person. Transmission may occur through respiratory droplets, direct contact with skin lesions or bodily fluids, or through contaminated materials such as clothing or bedding.
Common symptoms include fever and chills, swollen lymph nodes, headaches and muscle aches, fatigue, and skin rashes or lesions, which may appear on the face, hands, feet, or genitals. | GB
