Baguio City logs first Monkey POX case; public advised to remain calm and follow health protocols

Baguio City, Philippines - The city of Baguio logged its first case of Monkeypox (now MPOX) last week - the patient is a 28-year-old male.

On Saturday, January 18, 2025, the Baguio City Health Services Office (CHSO), through the city’s Public Information Office, announced that a man was diagnosed of having been infected with the Clade II variant of MPOX—the less severe type of the virus.

Although it was not mentioned in the report the exact date when the man was found to be MPOX positive and/or who are the people he encountered before he was tested, the CSHO guaranteed that he was already cured following his treatment and isolation period. 

Amid the city’s first MPOX case, Mayor Benjamin Magalong encouraged the residents to remain calm as the victim has recovered and is now well. 

The mayor likewise advised the public to follow the protocols against the rapid spread of the virus, such as using face masks, maintaining physical distance, ensuring proper ventilation, practicing good hand hygiene, and avoiding close interaction with others.

For its part, the CSHO, under the leadership of City Health Officer Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, said they are now conducting MPOX awareness campaigns in response to said health issue.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that there were a total of 52 MPOX cases in the country in 2024. The new case in Baguio is the first this year. 

It can be recalled that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the existence of MPOX (formerly known as Monkeypox) in 2022. The said disease has since spread to various countries in the world.

What is MPOX?

MPOX, according to the  WHO, is caused by the  genus Orthopox virus that has two distinct clades  - the clade I (  more serious variant) and clade II (less severe variant).

Common symptoms of MPOX include having a skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last 2–4 weeks, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.

The virus can be transmitted through close contact, and for a pregnant woman, the virus may be passed to the fetus or to the newborn during or after birth.