By Edalyn B. Acta
The first positive case of monkeypox (mpox) in the province has recovered.
“The patient has now fully healed,” said the local government unit (LGU) of the Municipality of Pontevedra in a statement.
“All identified close contacts have been assessed and are under observation,” noted Municipal Health Officer Dr. Marizen Nolasco.
While the Capiz Provincial Health Office (CPHO) initially announced the positive case, it did not name the municipality.
It was the Pontevedra LGU under the administration of Mayor Henry Tumlos that confirmed the first provincial case as a resident of the municipality. However, the barangay was not disclosed.
On the other hand, the Pontevedra Primary Care Facility also assured that it is closely coordinating with the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) for “intensified community surveillance, case monitoring and public information efforts to mitigate further transmission”.
Provincial Health Chief Dr. Ramon Alex Nolasco separately announced that five other suspected cases of mpox are still awaiting results of the laboratory tests from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) of the Department of Health (DOH).
Meanwhile, health officials are urging the public to practice minimum public health standards to prevent the spread of mpox.
This includes thorough washing of hands; wearing of face masks; covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; and avoiding close contact with people exhibiting symptoms of fever, rash or swollen lymph nodes.
Residents are also urged to seek medical attention if they start exhibiting symptoms of mpox.
