Eastern Visayas logs mpox case

TACLOBAN CITY — The Southern Leyte provincial capital of Maasin City logs the case of monkeypox infection in Eastern Visayas.

The Maasin City Health Office reported that it is now closely monitoring a 55-year-old woman who showed symptoms of mpox infection.

City Health Officer Francilisa Tan said the suspect, who is presently in home isolation together with her husband, was subjected to confirmatory testing.

Maasin City Mayor Nacional Mercado said an intensive contact tracing is currently being conducted.

“We have reimposed the mandatory use of masks, physical distancing, and basic health protocols to the general public to ensure the health and safety of our community,” Mercado posted on his social media account.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health regional office in Eastern Visayas said that based on the latest report from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, there is still no confirmed mpox case in the region.

Symptoms of the mpox virus infection include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that progresses through stages.

The World Health Organization declared in August last year mpox virus a public health emergency of international concern.