The Iloilo Provincial Government is taking precautionary measures against the potential spread of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) following the resumption of international flights at the Iloilo International Airport in October.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is meeting with the airport officials and the Department of Health on September 3 to discuss border controls and possible deployment of a quarantine team at the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan.
While no cases of Mpox were reported in Iloilo, the governor said the provincial government is preparing to execute guidelines in case of local transmission.
“We are preparing for the October international flights. We are preparing our quarantine team to be deployed at the airport in October,” Defensor said during his regular press conference on Thursday.
“We have the guidelines and we are about to execute them, particularly on avoidance of physical contact. As to the border control, we have to wait for the international flights before we execute,” he added.
Defensor also assured that the provincial and district hospitals are ready in case the situation escalates.
A total of 14 Mpox cases have been recorded in the country since July 2022. Nine have already recovered in 2023 while five remain active cases.
According to the World Health Organization, Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus.
It can spread from human to human and can be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids, lesions on the skin or internal mucosal surfaces, such as in the mouth or throat, respiratory droplets and contaminated objects.
Common symptoms include skin rash or mucosal lesions which can last 2–4 weeks along with fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
