Cagayan de Oro increases preparations for mpox virus
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Health authorities in this city, the seat of Northern Mindanao region, have asked the public to take extra care in order to avoid contracting the mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) virus.
City health officer Rachel Dilla noted that the localities in Mindanao where mpox infections are recorded are just four to six hours away by land travel to this city.
So far, mpox infections had been recorded in Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Zamboanga Sibugay provinces.
Dilla advised the public to “observe minimum public health standards” like wearing face masks and regular washing of hands to decrease the likelihood of infection.
READ: Health officials confirm 3 mpox cases in the Visayas
On Monday, Dilla ordered all personnel at the City Health Office and in health centers to always wear face masks and advise their clients to do the same, explaining that their staff are in the frontline of delivering health services hence, are vulnerable to possible infection.
Dilla also ordered that “no face mask, no entry” signs to be posted in the City Health Office premises and in various health centers in the city.
But Dilla’s memorandum order, which was widely circulated on social media, set off panic-buying for supplies of face masks and alcohol.
Councilor George Goking, chair of the city council’s committee on trade and commerce, noted that Dilla’s memo triggered a hysteria instead of calming the residents who feared that there will be a repeat of what happened in the city during the COVID-19 pandemic when stores and supermarkets ran out of inventory of the two hygiene commodities.
“I saw a person buy seven boxes of face masks and bottles of alcohol from a shopping mall. If this goes on, the supplies will run out and panic comes next,” Goking said.
Goking called on relevant government agencies to meet and address the people’s fears. “We have to watch the prices and the supplies before it is too late,” he said.
Northern Mindanao has no recorded mpox infections, so far.
The Inquirer sought clarification from the Department of Health regional office but was told to first fill out a request form for an interview. The World Health Organization said mpox can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person.
In South Cotabato, the number of mpox infections has ballooned to 11. Dr. Conrado Braña, South Cotabato provincial health officer, said the latest confirmed case is a resident of Surallah town.
According to the May 26 report of the South Cotabato Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU), five of the 11 confirmed cases have already recovered.
The town of Tboli has the most confirmed mpox cases with four, three of whom have fully recovered, while Surallah has three and Tantangan, Koronadal City, Lake Sebu and Banga have one patient each.
Braña has advised the public to remain calm yet vigilant, continue to practice proper hygiene, adhere to infection control measures, and follow all minimum public health standards.
He also strongly advised the public to avoid sharing of unverified information or “rumors” that may cause unnecessary panic.
As of Wednesday, other provinces with confirmed mpox cases are Maguindanao del Sur with one; Maguindanao del Norte, two; Sultan Kudarat, three; and Zamboanga Sibugay, one. — With reports from Edwin O. Fernandez /das
