BACOLOD City – The city government here is set to deploy health personnel at city ports to monitor arriving passengers amid confirmed cases of mpox in nearby areas, particularly in the city and province of Iloilo.
Reports confirmed that Iloilo City has recorded four mpox cases, prompting Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to instruct the City Health Office (CHO) to assign personnel at the BREDCO seaport to help screen incoming travelers.
One of the main symptoms of mpox is fever. As a preventive measure, Mayor Benitez directed the use of temperature scanners for arriving passengers to detect potential cases early.
He also plans to coordinate with the province and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for the possible implementation of similar measures at airports.
Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO’s Environmental Sanitation Division, said they are currently waiting for official guidelines from the Department of Health (DOH).
However, Mayor Benitez, now congressman-elect of Bacolod’s lone district, emphasized the urgency of taking early action.
“We have to act now while waiting for the guidelines because this matter is very important. We have to ensure that the said disease will be avoided and nobody will be infected,” he said.
Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can lead to fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a painful rash. The virus is transmitted through close contact with an infected person or contaminated materials.
Tan advised the public to follow basic hygiene and respiratory practices: cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing, ensure proper ventilation, frequently wash hands with soap or use alcohol-based sanitizer, and avoid contact with individuals showing symptoms of mpox.
Last week, the City Council passed a resolution requesting the City Mayor’s Office to implement preventive measures against the spread of the virus. The resolution, authored by Councilor Jason Villarosa, cited recent data from other provinces.
In an advisory, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental also assured the public that the province remains mpox-free but urged residents to remain vigilant and proactive.
“The public is advised to stay alert, practice safety measures, and support community preparedness efforts,” the statement read./PN
