Bacolod City, Negros Occidental to use unified monkeypox detection plan

FILE PHOTO: Test tubes labeled “Monkeypox virus positive” are seen in this illustration taken May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

BACOLOD CITY – This city and Negros Occidental will come up with a unified screening and detection plan against monkeypox, according to Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Wednesday, August 24.

While they will put up thermal scanners at all ports of entry, Benitez said borders will not be closed.

“We will just heighten our screening at ports of entry,” he said.

Benitez and Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson discussed their joint response on Wednesday following the detection of a monkeypox case in Iloilo province.

The Bacolod City Health Office plans to use its Midway facility in Barangay Alijis as an isolation facility for possible monkeypox cases.

Dr. Adriano Suba-an, director of the Department of Health in Western Visayas, confirmed on Tuesday that the fourth monkeypox case detected in the country involves a 25-year-old male from Iloilo province who worked in Iloilo City.

The Iloilo resident had no documented history of travel to or from any country with confirmed cases of monkeypox.

The DOH has conducted contact tracing and identified 14 close contacts of the patient, he said.

The DOH in Western Visayas is closely coordinating with local governments and health facilities to further strengthen surveillance, contact tracing and referral mechanisms, including management, Suba-an said.

He stressed the need to avoid close sustained physical contact with suspected cases, especially those with rashes and skin lesions.

“Continue the practice of minimum public health standards such as hand washing, wearing of facemask, practice of cough etiquette, and chose areas with good wind flow,” Suba-an said.

/MUF