The Quezon City government reminded its residents to take preventive measures against mpox (previously known as monkeypox) after detecting its second and third cases in the city.
According to the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (QCESD), both the second (29-year-old male) and third ( 36-year-old male) mpox cases are undergoing home isolation and receiving needed medical attention.
“Hindi biro ang mpox. Malala ang epekto nito, lalo na sa mga taong mahina ang immune system kaya napakahalaga na tayo mismo ay mag-ingat para hindi makakuha ng virus, at hindi tayo makahawa pa. Ugaliin pa rin ang paghuhugas ng kamay, at lumayo sa mga taong nagpapakita ng sintomas ng mpox,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
“Kung may sintomas kayo ng mpox, agad nang pumunta sa pinakamalapit na health center o ospital para magpatingin. Hindi namin kayo papabayaan at handang tumulong ang lokal na pamahalaan para sa inyong mabilis na pagpapagaling,” the mayor added.
The 29-year-old (second mpox case) started exhibiting symptoms (mouth lesion on August 21 and self-reported in an institution the next day. He was tested on August 28, and his result returned positive on August 30.
Meanwhile, the third case (36-year-old) experienced a fever on August 26 and had an onset of rash on August 27. His specimen was brought to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and came back positive on September 5.
The Mayor said QCESD has initiated contact tracing efforts and is closely monitoring the identified individuals who have been exposed to the patients.
Two weeks ago, the city government reported the first case of mpox in the city, a 37-year-old man. He is undergoing treatment and home quarantine.
The city government recently established the QC Task Force MPOX through Executive Order 14 series of 2024 to streamline and strengthen the city’s response to mpox.
The Task Force, headed by the Mayor as chairperson, is mandated to oversee and monitor the status of mpox cases in the city and prepare an emergency or epidemic plan.
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