Local Administrator Takes Action to Halt Mpox Transmission
In reaction to growing apprehensions over the regional dispersal of Mpox (monkeypox), Digos City Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas enacted Executive Order No. 10, s. 2025, on May 30, outlining rigorous preventive and containment measures to safeguard the local community, despite the city remaining unaffected by the disease so far.
Following the confirmation of a solitary case in the neighboring town of Magsaysay, approximately 25 kilometers away, the mayor gathered top city officials earlier this week to discuss Mpox preparedness.
Mayor Cagas reaffirmed, "As of today, there are no recorded instances of Mpox in Digos." This proactive approach underscores the city's determined commitment to shield its residents from potential infection.
The health threat associated with Mpox includes high fever, swollen lymph nodes, a sore throat, muscle pain, and for some individuals, severe anal pain and painful urination. Transmission happens primarily through close physical contact and contaminated surfaces.
In anticipation of possible cases, Digos City has designated a quarantine and isolation facility in Barangay Igpit. The City Health Office and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) have carried out inspections and cleaning operations at the site to ensure preparedness.
The order stipulates that residents must maintain a distance from individuals suspected of infection, practice good hand hygiene, and frequently disinfect touched surfaces to lower the risk of transmission from contaminated surfaces. Confirmed and suspected cases are obligated to undergo isolation, either at home or in official facilities.
Additionally, all healthcare providers are compelled to report Mpox cases to city health authorities promptly. Failure to abide by the guidelines may incur penalties under existing public health laws. The order becomes effective immediately.
This comprehensive approach to Mpox prevention and control epitomizes the city government's proactive and all-encompassing stance on public health safety during regional outbreaks. The designated quarantine facilities, stringent reporting and isolation protocols, and enforceable preventive measures for both residents and healthcare workers aim to tackle the Mpox threat effectively.
- Despite the absence of Mpox cases in Digos City, the mayor has emphasized the importance of maintaining health and wellness by following science-based medical-conditions protocols, as a confirmed case in Magsaysay has raised concerns about the potential spread of Mpox.
- In line with the city government's commitment to health and wellness, the Designated Quarantine facility in Barangay Igpit has been prepared for possible Mpox patients, with the City Health Office and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office ensuring that the facility is equipped to handle any medical-conditions related to Mpox.
