Health authorities in both Iloilo City and Iloilo Province have confirmed their respective first cases of monkeypox, with several close contacts and suspected cases now under tight monitoring.
In the province, Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares Quiñon, head of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), confirmed that out of three specimens sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), one tested positive for the viral disease.
The patient, who has no recent travel history abroad, is currently in isolation. Nine close contacts are also being quarantined and monitored for symptoms.
“Based on the official confirmatory test from RITM, we now have one confirmed case of monkeypox in the province,” Quiñon said, assuring the public that intensified disease surveillance and response efforts are underway.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo City Health Office (CHO) also reported its first confirmed monkeypox case, along with four other suspected cases under observation. Assistant City Health Officer Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna said all identified individuals are in stable condition and are receiving appropriate care in isolation.
City Health Officer Dr. Mary Anne Diaz noted that the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) is on high alert and continues to monitor the situation closely.
Monkeypox, or mpox, is a viral illness that causes fever, skin rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. It spreads through close personal contact, including sexual activity, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials.
Both CHO and IPHO officials emphasize that there is no indication of community transmission at this point. They also assured the public that health measures are firmly in place to prevent further spread.
Health authorities urged residents to remain calm, stay informed, and take proactive steps in protecting themselves—such as avoiding close contact with symptomatic individuals and promptly reporting any symptoms to local health offices.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated. Originally posted with the headline “Iloilo City confirms first mpox cases; 4 others under monitoring.”
