Bacolod: Health authorities advised residents here to remain calm and avoid discrimination against mpox patients after this highly urbanized city recorded the first case of the viral illness on Sunday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH), the Department of Health apex hospital in Negros Island Region, stated that the confirmed case is under their care after the City Health Office (CHO) referred the patient on June 13. The hospital assured that the patient is stable and receiving appropriate care in isolation, with all necessary infection control measures implemented in accordance with public health guidelines.

Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, typically begins with symptoms similar to the flu, including fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. Rashes usually appear within a few days of the initial symptoms. The CLMMRH emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low, as mpox is not known to be transmitted through airborne routes.

The hospital encouraged the community to remain informed through official health channels and to refrain from discriminating against those with diseases, including mpox. Dr. Grace Tan, head of the CHO-Environment Sanitation Division, noted that the case is considered a local transmission and highlighted the ongoing coordination with CLMMRH to address current and potential cases of mpox and other infectious diseases.

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez announced that the city government is conducting contact tracing efforts to prevent the disease's spread. He emphasized that mpox is manageable with proper health protocols and urged the public to rely on facts rather than fear, advising against the spread of unverified information that could cause unnecessary alarm.