Iloilo City has recorded two more confirmed cases of Mpox, bringing to six the number of confirmed cases in the city as of June 10, 2025.
Dr. Mary Ann Diaz, city health officer, said the two cases were among the suspected cases reported the previous week.
Six other cases are being confirmed through laboratory tests.
The good news is that the patients who were confirmed to have contracted Mpox earlier have recovered fully, Diaz said.
“Of this, five are males and one is female. The first recorded cases have fully recovered as of June 5, 2025. Today, a total of 12 cases were recorded, six confirmed and six suspected,” she said.
The remaining Mpox patients are in isolation and are in stable condition.
Since Iloilo confirmed it has Mpox cases, residents like Zenaida Asilo, a vendor, have become more careful.
Asilo said she has become more conscious of hygiene by using disinfectant and alcohol.
“Minsan kasi, madaming mga tao kaya hindi maiiwasan na magkakahawak kami ng kamay. Alcohol lang talaga… pagkatapos magbenta, alcohol agad… tapos, kapag may bumili ulit, gagamit na naman ng alcohol,” she said.
The City Health Office also encouraged residents to avoid gatherings and crowded places. It also encouraged those who may be experiencing symptoms to have themselves checked immediately.
“The public is urged to cooperate by practicing vigilance and caution in all social interactions. Seeking early medical consultations if symptoms occur, reporting symptoms honestly and accurately, isolating properly if symptomatic,” Diaz said.
Symptoms of Mpox include:
- Skin rash or mucosal lesions
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
The virus that causes Mpox can be transmitted through the following:
- Close skin-to-skin contact
- Kissing, having sex, or talking closely with someone infected
- Touching contaminated clothes, linens, and other surfaces
- Needle injuries
- Mother to baby during pregnancy or birth
- Handling or eating infected animals
But the disease is highly preventable. Health experts gave the following tips how:
- Washing hands often
- Avoiding close, skin-to-skin contact with people showing symptoms
- Avoiding sharing utensils, towels, and bedding
- If possible, wearing long sleeves and pants
- Wearing a mask around someone who is sick
