Several municipalities in Palawan have been placed on heightened alert following the confirmation of mpox cases in neighboring Iloilo province, prompting local health authorities to intensify preventive measures and public warnings.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) named the towns of Cagayancillo, Cuyo, Agutaya, and Magsaysay as areas under heightened alert because of their proximity to Iloilo, which currently has two confirmed and two suspected mpox cases.
According to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Faye Erika Labrador, “Naka heightened alert na ang mga bayan ng Cagayancillo, Cuyo, Agutaya at Magsaysay na malapit sa probinsya ng Ilo-ilo na ngayon ay may dalawang confirmed case na ng MPOX at 2 suspected case nito.”
While Palawan has yet to report any mpox cases, the PHO advises the public to take precautions such as wearing face masks and practicing social distancing, given that the virus spreads mostly through close contact.
Mpox, or monkeypox, is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus. It typically begins with symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that can last from two to four weeks.
The PHO is working closely with local health units in the affected municipalities to strengthen surveillance and community education, aiming to prevent any local transmission.
