ILOILO – Following a confirmed case of mpox involving a minor with no travel history, the provincial government has issued Public Health Advisory No. 2025-01, ordering strict precautionary measures within the capitol premises to prevent potential transmission.
The advisory, released by the Provincial Health Office (PHO), comes amid heightened concern over the virus’ capacity to spread through close physical contact.
Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family as the virus that causes smallpox, though it is clinically less severe.
Although the Iloilo patient has fully recovered and close contacts remain asymptomatic while under home monitoring, health officials are not taking any chances.
“This is a preventive move,” said PHO chief Dr. Maria Socorro Quiñon. “We’ve had one case, and we want to ensure it doesn’t escalate. Awareness is our first line of defense.”
Under the advisory, provincial capitol employees and transacting clients are required to observe strict hygiene and distancing protocols.
Mpox can be transmitted through close physical contact — particularly skin-to-skin interactions — with infected individuals, contaminated materials such as bedding or towels, or through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact.
Key capitol measures include the use of alcohol-based hand rubs at entry points, proper respiratory etiquette, routine disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, and limiting elevator passengers to six to avoid skin-to-skin contact.
In waiting areas, only one person per seat is allowed to avoid unnecessary physical contact.
The advisory also cautions against intimate interactions such as kissing or hugging, especially with individuals exhibiting symptoms of mpox — fever, rash, or swollen lymph nodes.
Contact with animals, particularly sick or dead mammals, is likewise discouraged.
Common mpox symptoms include fever, rash, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and fatigue. The characteristic rash often progresses from flat lesions to fluid-filled blisters that eventually scab over. In some cases, lesions appear in the genital or perianal area.
The PHO has set up a reporting mechanism at the capitol clinic for anyone experiencing symptoms associated with mpox or other communicable diseases.
The issuance of the advisory signals a proactive stance by the provincial government in addressing emerging public health threats, even in the absence of a declared outbreak./PN
