Baguio records first mpox case

BAGUIO CITY — Residents of Baguio City are being urged to remain vigilant after health authorities confirmed the first case of monkeypox (mpox) in the city.

According to Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, city health officer of the Baguio City Health Services Office, the patient is a 28-year-old male who contracted the less severe Clade II type of mpox virus, which is not as deadly as Clade I. The patient completed isolation and was declared cured on 17 January, 2025.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong reassured the public that there is no need for panic or a lockdown, but he strongly advised everyone to follow health protocols. He emphasized the importance of wearing face masks, maintaining physical distancing, practicing good hygiene, and ensuring proper ventilation in indoor spaces.

The Department of Health noted that mpox is primarily transmitted through direct contact with skin or mucosal lesions. This can occur via activities such as talking, breathing, kissing, touching, hugging, sexual intercourse, or exposure to respiratory secretions. The virus can also spread indirectly through contaminated bedding, clothing, linens, or other objects.

Symptoms of mpox include a skin rash or mucosal lesions, fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, back pain, headache and low energy.

Health authorities have urged the public to follow preventive measures, including covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, avoiding skin-to-skin contact, steering clear of crowded areas, washing hands frequently, and ensuring good air circulation. Individuals exhibiting symptoms are advised to seek medical consultation immediately.