Iloilo City: The Iloilo City government is working closely with all stakeholders as the number of mpox cases here has reached 12. Of the six confirmed cases, one patient has already recovered.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a press briefing on Tuesday, City Health Officer Dr. Mary Ann Diaz stated that the six suspected cases are undergoing laboratory confirmation. 'All patients are in stable condition, receiving appropriate medical care and are currently under isolation,' she said.

Dr. Diaz emphasized the city's collaborative efforts with various sectors, including barangays, schools, boarding houses, religious groups, the business process outsourcing industry, the transport sector, and regional government offices, to strengthen preventive measures and contain the spread of the virus.

She urged the public to exercise vigilance and caution in all social interactions, seek early medical consultation if symptoms occur, report symptoms honestly and accurately, and isolate promptly if they are symptomatic. The public is also encouraged to observe key preventive actions like regular handwashing, wearing face masks and long sleeves when in public or traveling, avoiding crowded or poorly ventilated places, and practicing safe and responsible sexual health.

'Mpox is primarily transmitted through close, prolonged physical contact, including skin-to-skin and intimate contact such as sexual activity. It can also spread through respiratory droplets, contact with contaminated materials, and lesions or body fluids,' Dr. Diaz explained.

Furthermore, Dr. Diaz mentioned that they are still waiting for a response from the Department of Health regarding the city government's request to allow its molecular laboratory to conduct the confirmatory test for suspected mpox cases in Panay.