The Provincial Government of Bulacan, through its Provincial Health Office – Public Health, has strengthened efforts to prevent the spread of monkeypox (Mpox) through swift and strategic interventions even before any confirmed cases were reported.
Governor Daniel Fernando already issued a directive to all city and municipal mayors and barangay captains to prepare Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs), monitor sanitation practices in private establishments, and carry out public awareness campaigns to manage misinformation.
Hospitals were also reminded of their surge capacity responsibilities under national guidelines, requiring proper isolation rooms and beds to handle potential cases.
Health offices across the province were also instructed to report suspect cases immediately through the Event-based Surveillance and Response Information System.
Also, dedicated hotlines were established in coordination with local health offices to streamline patient referrals and transfers to appropriate isolation or treatment facilities.
Meanwhile, two cases of Mpox were later confirmed in the City of San Jose Del Monte, both of which are already fully recovered, according to the City Health Office.
“There will be no implementation of lockdowns in the province.”
Both patients were confirmed to have contracted the Clade II strain, a less severe variant of the Mpox virus. Health authorities emphasized that the two cases are not linked to each other, and all identified close contacts were asymptomatic and have completed isolation protocols as a precautionary measure.
Moreover, contrary to the rumors being spread after the confirmation of the cases, the PGB reiterated that there will be no implementation of lockdowns in the province.
Fernando assures the Bulakenyos that the PGB is doing all the necessary efforts to prevent the said virus from spreading across the towns and cities of Bulacan.
“Wala po tayong dapat ikabahala, ginagawa po ng ating Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ang lahat ng mga aksyon na kinakailangan.”
“Wala po tayong dapat ikabahala, ginagawa po ng ating Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ang lahat ng mga aksyon na kinakailangan upang mapanatiling ligtas ang mga Bulakenyo mula sa banta ng Mpox. Kaya naman doble ingat po ang ating hiling sa bawat isa upang tayo ay makaiwas mula sa sakit at hindi maging posibleng paraan ng pagkalat nito,” the governor said.
The symptoms of Mpox virus according to the Department of Health are skin rashes or mucosal lesions, fever, swollen lymph nodes and sore throat, muscle and body pain, headache and low energy. In order to prevent possible contraction of the virus, experts advise everyone to avoid skin-to-skin contact, have proper personal hygiene, conduct regular disinfection, wash hands regularly, and consult immediately with the nearest health center when symptoms persist.
