Davao Oriental has recorded its first case of Mpox in Mati City, the City Health Office (PHO) confirmed on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

Initially, the patient sought medical consultation through the telemedicine service of the City Health Office (CHO) and was tested positive later for Mpox.

The City Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Response Unit (CESRU) facilitated the collection of specimen and confirmatory testing, which was then verified by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) through the Department of Health-Davao Center for Health Development (DOH-DCHD).

The patient exhibited mild symptoms and was placed under home isolation with strict monitoring.

Authorities also conducted contact tracing and close contact surveillance in accordance with guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH).

The patient has already completed the isolation period on June 20, 2025 and is now in stable condition, and recovering well.

CHO and the barangay-based surveillance units are implementing enhanced monitoring through the Incident Management System (IMS) in accordance with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H) protocols.

“As of today, there is no outbreak of Mpox in the city. We are closely monitoring the situation and urge the public to remain calm and cautious,” City Health Officer, Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan Jr., was quoted as saying.

Mpox symptoms include fever, chills, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, extreme fatigue, headache, sore throat, anal pain, and painful urination. Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus and usually results in mild illness with rashes.

Health authorities advised the public to follow protocols, including frequent handwashing and refraining from skin-to-skin contact with people showing rashes or flu-like symptoms.

Individuals who developed symptoms must seek medical attention immediately.