Baguio City reports its second laboratory-confirmed case of monkeypox (mpox), prompting health officials to remind the public about preventative measures.
BAGUIO CITY — A new case of monkeypox or mpox has been detected in the city, according to the City Health Services Office (CHSO) surveillance team on Saturday. This marks the second laboratory-confirmed mpox case reported to the Department of Health on January 18. The patient is a 22-year-old male resident of Baguio City with no history of travel outside the Philippines but with close contact two weeks prior to the onset of symptoms.
Early symptoms included body malaise, chills, and fatigue, followed by rashes on his palms, face, arms, thorax, and back. The patient sought consultation at a private hospital, where specimens were collected from the skin lesions and sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for testing. PCR test results confirmed the presence of monkeypox in the samples. Similar to the first mpox case detected in the city recently, this patient's infection was caused by the less severe Clade 2 type. The first patient completed home isolation on January 17 and has fully recovered. The new patient was discharged from the hospital on January 21 and placed under home isolation. Two identified close contacts of the patient are asymptomatic but have been advised to undergo quarantine until February 6 and February 24 respectively. Doctors are in constant communication with both cases to monitor their overall health.City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and City Health Officer Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes assured the public that there is no need for panic. However, they strongly reminded everyone to practice standard health protocols, such as frequent handwashing, wearing face masks, and maintaining physical distancing, especially in crowded and enclosed spaces. These measures will help prevent the spread of mpox and other diseases like influenza-like illnesses.'There is no need to panic. We just have to do frequent handwashing, use long sleeves or jackets, avoid exposure to crowds as mpox can be contracted through skin contact or through contaminated things such as bedding, towels, and the like,' said Dr. Brillantes. As both cases involved close intimate contact, the CHSO emphasized that mpox can be transmitted through prolonged exposure, kissing, hugging, and close intimate contact with an infected person. Dr. Brillantes urged individuals to check their partners for any symptoms of the disease. 'Be faithful, having multiple partners will put you more at risk to mpox or even other sexually transmitted diseases,' she stressed. She added that exposure through contaminated materials like clothes, utensils, or infected animals can also increase the risk of contracting mpox. Common symptoms of mpox include skin rashes or mucosal lesions, which can last for 2-4 weeks. These rashes are accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. Residents are advised to visit their nearest District Health Center for a medical checkup if they experience fever with skin rashes and other symptoms. Business owners are also advised to wear masks and gloves when handling food and bedding, and to regularly sanitize frequently touched surfaces. With upcoming large gatherings and celebrations in the city, the city health officer reiterates that there is no cause for alarm as the virus is not as transmissible as COVID-19 but still calls for the observation of precautionary measures to prevent spread and transmission. According to the Department of Health, a total of 52 mpox cases have been recorded in different parts of the country as of December 2024
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