Youngest person in Zamboanga Sibugay diagnosed with mpnox, marking the first known case among children under the age of four.
PHILIPPINES - Zamboanga Sibugay has recorded its first case of mpox, a 3-year-old girl from Tungawan, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO). The child is currently recovering at the Dr. George T. Hofer Medical Center (DGTHMC) in Ipil following initial treatment at the Tungawan Rural Health Office.
Samples collected from the child were sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City for confirmation. The patient and her immediate family are under home quarantine, while contact tracing efforts are underway to identify their close contacts. All identified contacts are now under observation in adherence to national health protocols.
Mpox, a viral illness, is primarily transmitted through prolonged, close physical contact, often resulting in symptoms such as fever, skin rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. The general prevention strategies include avoiding skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals, using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, and prioritizing vaccination where possible.
The provincial government, in coordination with the Department of Health and the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, is closely monitoring the situation. To contain the outbreak, the PHO urges the public to adhere to preventive health measures similar to those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health authorities also remind the public and healthcare workers to remain vigilant for other diseases that resemble mpox, like chickenpox, herpes, and febrile rash illnesses. Diagnostic protocols have been activated in health facilities across the province.
For more specific guidance in Zamboanga Sibugay, consult local health authorities or the Department of Health for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Join our website to support truth and protect vital facts. For discussions, join our app's chat rooms for iOS, Android, or web.
- In light of the current mpox outbreak, it's crucial to prioritize health-and-wellness by understanding medical-conditions such as mpox, which is a viral illness primarily transmitted through close physical contact.
- To prevent the spread of mpox or similar health threats, the general public should follow practices from science, like avoiding skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals and using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), while healthcare workers are reminded to prioritize vaccination where possible.
