NABUNTURAN — With one confirmed case of monkeypox (mpox) virus, several local government units in Davao de Oro ramped up preventive strategies to control the spread of the disease.
According to the report from the Provincial Health Office as of May 29, the confirmed mpox case is from the municipality of Maco. The office also noted that the same municipality and the town of Nabunturan have one suspected mpox case each.
Upon the release of the data, the municipal government of Maco has encouraged its residents to wear face masks, and observe social distancing to contain the spread of the disease.
In Nabunturan, Mayor Myrocel Balili ordered the implementation of prevention, detection, isolation and quarantine, treatment, and reintegration (PDITR) strategy against mpox.
The strategy is pursuant to the interim guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH) on managing mpox.
In the prevention strategy, Balili encouraged residents to adhere to the minimum standard precautions, which include avoidance of close contact to probable, suspected, and confirmed mpox cases and even pets and other animals that may carry the virus.
The mayor also emphasized in the memorandum the need for proper hygiene and cleaning practices including contaminated items and areas.
Balili also ordered healthcare workers to detect with high index of suspicion cases of mpox, so that they can be isolated and quarantined for 21 days at home or on any facility depending on the severity of the health condition of the patient.
The memorandum also states that the Municipal Health Office will give clearance after isolation and treatment, if the patient is fit to return to work.
In Monkayo, Mayor Manuel Zamora established comprehensive protocols for mpox preparedness, prevention, and response.
Through a memorandum, Zamora directed all health workers, including Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams, for immediate reporting, and active case finding on mpox cases.
The mayor also advised the public to follow health protocols like wearing of face masks in crowded areas, physical distancing, and hand hygiene.
Zamora also laid out that mass gatherings will be assessed and implemented, in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Philippine National Police (PNP), with necessary health measures.
In Compostela, Mayor Levi Ebdao released a memorandum requiring the mandatory wearing of face masks of all the residents and individuals visiting the town.
However, with the advice of health professionals, Ebdao later amended the order to require only those personnel working in health facilities, and their clients.
The memorandum also states that clients, who arrive at the facility without a face mask, will be provided one free of charge, if available.
Ebdao also created the Municipal Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Diseases (MIATF-ED) to monitor developments of emerging diseases like MPOX, coordinate and recommend policies, and lead in the information campaign. PIA DAVAO