ORMOC CITY – This city has issued Executive Order (EO) No. 2025-025, or an Order Providing for Guidelines on the Prevention on Local Transmission, Detection, and Monitoring of Monkeypox (Mpox) Virus in Ormoc City, which was signed by Acting Mayor Leo Carmelo J. Locsin, Sr. on June 2, 2025.
The said EO puts emphasis on prevention and control measures wherein all individuals within the city are enjoined to observe minimum precautions, such as the mandatory wearing of face masks in public crowded places. Further, users of any public transportation in the city are mandated to wear face masks at all times while on board any public transportation vehicle and within all public transportation facilities.
In addition, the EO also encourages the observance of frequent and proper hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand-rub or hand-washing; ensuring that objects and surfaces suspected of being contaminated with the virus or handled by an infectious person are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected; and avoiding close and intimate, skin-to-skin contact such as handshaking, hugging, kissing, cuddling, and sexual contact with individuals who are suspect, probable, or confirmed cases of Mpox.
Moreover, the EO also highlighted that persons who belong to the vulnerable group or those who are immunocompromised are discouraged from going to public crowded places or attending events with large numbers of attendees; and should avoid contact with animals, particularly mammals, that may carry the virus, including sick or deceased animals found in areas where Mpox is present. Signs of Mpox in animals, including pets, can include rash, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
Accordingly, under Republic Act No. 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, the City of Ormoc is mandated to protect and promote the right to health of its constituents and to implement disease surveillance, response, and control measures within its jurisdiction.
The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed cases of local transmission of the Monkeypox Virus (Mpox) in the Philippines and has issued interim guidelines mandating all healthcare workers and local government units (LGUs) to adhere to protocols on the prevention, detection, isolation, treatment, and reintegration of Mpox cases.
To recall, on August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the MPOX outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to a surge in cases across Africa and the emergence of a new clade IB strain, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reporting over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths in 2024, and the clade spreading to neighboring countries and beyond.
MPOX is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a member of the genus Orthopoxvirus, with transmission occurring through direct contact with infectious lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials, and presents with symptoms including skin rash or lesions, fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle aches, back pain, sore throat, and low energy. (By Gwen Maurillo/EV Mail June 2-8, 2025 issue)
