Baguio City Mpox cases hikes to 4

BAGUIO CITY (February 6, 2025)— Two new Mpox cases were recorded in Baguio City, bringing the total laboratory-confirmed cases here to four.



This prompting the city government, through its Health Services Office (HSO) reminded an infection risk and ramp up preventive measure awareness further.

According to City HSO Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Chief Dr. Donnabel Panes, the two new Mpox cases (a 21-year-old male and a 21-year-old female) are already in isolation and nearing recovery.

She assured close monitoring of the patients and contact tracing of the two new Mpox cases.

Panes also calmed down any alarm, “what is more important is for the public to know/learn more about the MPox, its risk factors, and how to prevent infection,” she stressed.

According to the WHO, there are five risk factors for getting infected with Mpox: having multiple sexual partners, MSM (men having sex with men), having a housemate (household member) that is diagnosed with Mpox, health workers, and coming from a country with Mpox (especially those with high cases), Panes cited.

For the mode of transmission, one can be infected by the Mpox virus through close physical contact, skin-to-skin contact (massage, hugging, kissing), prolonged face-to-face contact without a mask and other personal protective equipment, respiratory secretion, and contact with inanimate contaminated objects (tables, chairs, linens, bedding contaminated through the rashes, scabs, or blood fluid of an Mpox-infected person), she added.

Public health officials here also reminded the importance of using properly fitted face masks and regular proper handwashing and in bringing in alcohol for hand sanitation when going out, as aside from Mpox, it will be very helpful in the prevention of other infectious diseases such as influenza-like illnesses.

Panes reiterated “shared responsibility in ensuring community public health, especially from those feeling sick or having risk factors, whether of Mpox or any infectious disease.”

Sick people must stay at home and rest, or if really necessary to go out, they should wear a mask and, most importantly, stay away from immunocompromised stages—senior citizens, small children, and pregnant women, Panes emphasized.