Health officials have clarified that there are no cases of mpox in Puerto Princesa City or any municipality in Palawan, despite confirmed infections recently reported in parts of Visayas and Mindanao.
City Health Officer Dr. Ricardo Panganiban assured the public that Puerto Princesa remains free of mpox, a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox (Orthopoxvirus).
He said they have not detected any cases in the city—not even suspected ones—but the City Health Office (CHO) is already taking steps to prepare for any eventuality.
“Wala pa tayo dito sa Puerto Princesa but we are preparing. Mas maganda na kasi din na handa na tayo. And sa tingin ko if ever, kaya naman natin i-manage kasi na-manage nga natin ang COVID before,” Dr. Panganiban told Palawan News in an interview.
He pointed out that this specific type of viral illness can now be detected at the molecular laboratory of the city government situated in Barangay Sta. Monica. This would streamline the process should a case arise, as the city now has the capacity to test for mpox locally.
“Kaya na nating i-test ang mpox dito sa ating molecular lab na hindi na po natin kailangang ipadala pa sa Maynila for initial testing ang samples. Hindi pa natin, actually, fully alam on how to manage but we are preparing,” he said.
“Basically, kasi it’s a viral infection na usually pwede namin i-treat sa bahay at ang kailangan lang talaga is naka-isolate siya [patient] para hindi mahawa ‘yung iba. Pero kung kailangan talagang i-isolate ay kahit sa mga hospital ay kaya kung paisa-isa o dalawa dahil mayroon naman ‘yan silang isolation facility,” he added.
In line with this, he said there is still no need to implement travel restrictions on travelers coming from areas with confirmed mpox cases entering Puerto Princesa.
Panganiban explained that such measures are usually ordered by the Department of Health (DOH) if they deem them necessary, and for now, what is needed is the strict observance of health precautions.
Mpox causes skin rashes or lesions and is commonly transmitted through direct contact with an infected person, respiratory secretions, or contact with items contaminated by the virus, such as clothing, bedding, and other materials.
As of May 30 the Philippines has confirmed new mpox cases in Davao City (4), Iloilo City and Province (1 each), and Talisay City, Cebu (1), all classified as mild Clade II infections with no fatalities reported
Dr. Faye Labrador, chief of the Provincial Health Office (PHO), also said in an interview with local radio station Brigada News FM-Palawan that there are no mpox cases in any municipalities in Palawan.
“Currently, wala po tayong mga suspect for this kind of illness,” she stated.
Dr. Labrador said they had already instructed municipal health offices, particularly those in Cagayancillo, Cuyo, Agutaya, and Magsaysay, to step up their mpox monitoring as cases began to surface from Iloilo.
The PHO has also stepped up its health promotion efforts, issuing advisories to inform and guide the public.
She said it has also disseminated all DOH memorandums to municipal health offices across the province to ensure consistent implementation and awareness at the local level.
“We have also advised them na mag-report agad if ever there would be suspects. Currently, wala tayong mga suspect for this kind of illness,” Dr. Labrador said, reminding the public to practice proper hand hygiene as part of their daily routine.
Avoiding contact with anyone displaying indications of disease was also stressed by Dr. Labrador.
She asserted the need for staying in areas with good ventilation, particularly in densely populated locations.
“Importante din po na to avoid, to come in contact po sa mga taong meron po mga sintomas. And we advise po na well-ventilated po ang mga lugar po na ating dapat kalalagyan, lalong-lalo na po kung marami pong mga tao. Ayan, nandyan na naman po, bumabalik naman po ang ating walang katapusang social distancing,” she said.
