ILOILO City – Despite the recent detection of two monkeypox (mpox) cases in Davao City, including one fatality, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) assured the public that no additional measures or special treatment would be imposed on passengers arriving from Davao through the Iloilo Airport.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the IPHO, emphasized that the protocols at the Iloilo Airport remain consistent for all passengers, regardless of their origin, to avoid any form of discrimination.
She clarified that the province is not singling out individuals traveling from Davao, as direct flights between Iloilo and Davao City regularly take place.
“There is no need for special treatment for passengers from Davao. Health personnel in Davao, including those from the airline, are already conducting surveillance before departure. Our goal is not to create unnecessary fear or discrimination, as long as there is no prolonged skin-to-skin contact or intimate exposure with an infected individual,” Dr. Quiñon stated.
The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that the two Davao City patients, both admitted to a hospital isolation facility, were diagnosed with mpox Clade II. One of the patients, who passed away, reportedly succumbed to complications unrelated to the virus.
The DOH has assured that all passengers from Davao, like all international and domestic arrivals, undergo thorough health screenings under the supervision of the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Should any passenger exhibit symptoms of mpox, health personnel are prepared to transport them to the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in Mandurriao for proper management, including specimen collection for confirmatory testing at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Metro Manila.
“We have long-standing surveillance protocols in place. Our teams at the airport are well-versed in how to manage mpox concerns, and no new advisories have been issued because we are already prepared,” Dr. Quiñon said, stressing that ongoing disease surveillance continues at all major entry points, including airports like Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila.
Symptoms of mpox include skin rashes, mucosal lesions, fever, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus is primarily spread through close physical contact, including skin-to-skin contact, as well as contaminated objects and animal bites.
Dr. Quiñon assured that, as of now, Iloilo has not recorded any positive cases of mpox. Five specimens have been sent to RITM for testing since last year, all of which returned negative results. The province’s surveillance system remains functional, she noted, and proper hygiene practices such as frequent handwashing and wearing face masks in crowded places continue to be vital in preventing the spread of mpox and other respiratory illnesses.
“We must stay vigilant and continue following health protocols to prevent the transmission of mpox and other diseases,” Dr. Quiñon added./PN
