Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and the City Health Office on Sunday, June 15, confirmed the first case of mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) in Bacolod City.
“The patient is stable, properly monitored, and currently in isolation and receiving appropriate medical care. We have done contact tracing also to contain the spread of the disease”, the mayor said.
The City Health Office is closely coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH), Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) and all concerned agencies to ensure swift and effective response measures, Benitez assured.
“I want to assure everyone that the city government has long prepared for situations like this. Mpox is a manageable disease, and with proper health protocols, we can prevent further spread”, he added.
He called on the public to follow hygiene and safety protocols such as frequent handwashing and avoiding close contact with individuals who have flu-like symptoms or unexplained skin rashes.
The public should stay informed only through official sources like the DOH and the Bacolod City Public Information Office, he said.
“Let us be guided by facts, not fear. We urge everyone to avoid spreading unverified information that may cause undue alarm,” Benitez said.
He assured Bacolodnons that the city government is taking all necessary steps to protect their health and safety.
“We have overcome challenges before – and with unity and vigilance, we will do so again,” Benitez said.
Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, incoming city mayor, also assured that the CHO is on top of the situation and that all necessary assistance will be provided to deal with the situation.
He urged the public to follow health advisories to ensure their safety.
No mpox cases have been reported in Negros Occidental based on Provincial Health Office and Department of Health Office monitoring, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Sunday.
Bacolod City is a highly urbanized city that is not part of Negros Occidental’s jurisdiction.
As of June 9, the Iloilo City Health Office reported six laboratory-confirmed Mpox cases and six pending confirmatory results.
CHO ADVISORY
Dr. Ma. Carmela Gensoli, Bacolod City Health Officer, said they were withholding the name and gender of the patient hit with mpox for privacy purposes.
A CHO health advisory said in close coordination with the CLMMRH, it has activated its protocols to manage the situation and ensure continued public safety.
“Mpox transmission has now been identified locally, and the CHO continues to closely monitor developments to help limit further spread,” it said.
The Bacolod City Health Office advisory said persons who are immunocompromised, including pregnant women, persons with diabetes, senior citizens, children, malnourished individuals, patients undergoing chemotherapy, and those with chronic illnesses — may have a higher vulnerability to infections in general, including mpox, the advisory said.
It said pregnant women who may contract mpox are advised to consult healthcare providers to ensure appropriate monitoring for both mother and child. Delivery in hospital settings remains the safest option.
“At present, there is no specific antiviral treatment for mpox available locally,” it said, adding that supportive care and management of symptoms remain effective.
Once fully recovered — when all lesions have healed and scabs have cleared — patients may safely return to work, school, or their usual activities, the advisory said.
The Bacolod City government strongly discourages any form of discrimination toward patients or their families, it added.
Public understanding, compassion, and support are vital in ensuring full recovery, both physically and emotionally, the advisory said .
All necessary measures are in place, and coordination with national health authorities is ongoing to manage the situation effectively, it added.
The public is advised to stay calm, practice proper hygiene, observe health protocols, and seek medical attention if symptoms arise, the advisory said.
Those who have questions or concerns may contact the Bacolod City Health Office at 0992-480-8591, the advisory said.
CLMMRH STATEMENT
The CLMMRH, in a statement issued Sunday, said it is currently caring for the first confirmed case of mpox, which was referred from the Bacolod CHO on June 13.
“The patient is stable and is receiving appropriate care in isolation, and all necessary infection control measures have been implemented in accordance with public health guidelines,” it said.
The CLMMRH assured its patients, staff, and visitors that the risk to the general public remains low. It is not known to be transmitted via the airborne route- meaning across rooms and public spaces, it said.
“We encourage sick individuals to seek consultation early especially if they have a rash, avoid close skin to skin contact and not share personal items. We encourage the general public to continue practicing good hygiene and do handwashing frequently,” it added.