DILG urges LGUs to take proactive measures vs. monkeypox

MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged local government units (LGUs) to take proactive steps to prevent monkeypox transmission and spread in their respective areas of jurisdictions.

This, following the first confirmed case of monkeypox reported in the country last week.

“While everyone is assured that our public health surveillance systems are able to detect and confirm monkeypox cases, all LGUs are nonetheless called to carry out measures in close coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) in stemming the spread of this new virus,” said DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. in a news release.

As the country’s health authorities are already strictly monitoring inbound and outbound travelers for monkeypox cases, Abalos said it would be in the best interest of the LGUs to be prepared for any eventualities.

“The adage prevention is better than cure still applies today. As the primary front liners in your areas, it behooves upon our LGUs to initiate precautionary measures and spread awareness to your constituents about monkeypox and what they need to do about it,” he said.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the infection of the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus.

According to the DOH, common symptoms of monkeypox include fever, intense headache, swelling of the lymph nodes, back pain, muscle aches, lack of energy, and skin eruptions.

Abalos also urged provincial governors and city/municipal mayors to ensure that their respective Local Health Offices, Epidemiologic and Surveillance Units, and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams are prepared to implement DOH guidelines and protocols on the surveillance, screening, management, and infection control of monkeypox.

“Katulad ng ginawa natin sa laban kontra Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), kailangang magsagawa na tayo ng mga preparasyon at ihanda na natin ang mga tauhan natin para siguraduhing hindi na dadami pa at lalala ang mga kaso ng monkeypox sa bansa (Just like what we did against Covid-19, we should undertake preparations and ready our manpower to ensure that monkeypox cases will not multiply in the country),” he said.

He added that LGUs should closely monitor travelers from countries with reported or ongoing cases of monkeypox who are experiencing signs and symptoms, coordinate with private health care facilities to ensure the reporting of individuals experiencing symptoms, and report information on suspected or confirmed cases to the DOH within 24 hours.

He also urged the public to closely comply to the DOH’s minimum public health standards (MPHS), implement disinfection measures, practice good hand and respiratory hygiene, and minimize contact with sick people in order to limit infection.

“This is not the first time that we have faced a huge health concern. We have been through the worst of times during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic so we are now more resilient as a people and can rise above any other challenge, including monkeypox,” he said.

According to the DOH, the first monkeypox case in the country was a Filipino who arrived from abroad last July 19. The case is already in recovery and its 10 close contacts are in quarantine and being closely monitored for symptoms.

The DOH further stated that unlike Covid-19, only health workers and other vulnerable sectors may be required to receive the monkeypox vaccine as protection.