Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said on Tuesday, June 17, that he will coordinate with the Negros Occidental provincial government and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to strengthen monitoring measures against mpox.
The mayor is eyeing the thermal scanning of incoming passengers at seaports and at the Bacolod Silay Airport for fever as a precautionary measure against mpox.
Benitez on Sunday announced the first mpox case in Bacolod City, which he said is an isolated case.
The patient who is confined at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital has had no history of travel outside Bacolod, he said.
Benitez said he has directed the City Health Office to investigate how the patient acquired mpox.
The mpox variant that the patient has is not transmitted fast, it can only be acquired through saliva and sexual contact, he said.
Benitez also reiterated his call for vigilance and 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.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson recommend the wearing of face mask in closed and crowded areas.
The Provincial Health Office has already sent out notices on safety protocols versus mpox, he said.
He said they will also study the setting up of an airport watch based on the recommendation of health officilas.*