TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas has confirmed its first case of Mpox (formerly monkeypox), with the patient identified as a 28-year-old resident of Sogod, Southern Leyte, according to local officials.
The confirmation was disclosed by Sogod Mayor Sheffered Tan during a meeting with health authorities on June 16, as shown in a video posted by Radyo Pilipinas-Sogod.
Mayor Tan said the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office 8 informed him of the result, which was validated by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
“The DOH regional office has informed us that we have one confirmed case of Mpox,” Tan said, assuring residents that a local task force has been activated to prevent any further transmission.
The patient, who had no recent travel history, began showing symptoms last month and is currently recovering. A 9-year-old household member also experienced symptoms such as skin lesions but was not tested and has since recovered.
Mayor Tan said Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado has been informed, and contact tracing efforts are underway.
The DOH regional office has yet to release an official statement on the confirmed case.
In a related development, a separate suspected Mpox case in Maasin City, also in Southern Leyte, tested negative, according to Maasin Mayor Nacional Mercado, who shared the result on June 12.
Mpox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, part of the same family of viruses that includes smallpox. While generally less severe, it can still cause significant symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, skin rashes, and fatigue. The disease spreads through close physical contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as linens and clothing.
Local health authorities have urged the public to stay vigilant, observe hygiene, avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals, and seek medical consultation if symptoms appear.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
