Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Agusan del Sur health officials confirm Caraga’s first known mpox case, and the patient’s travel to Davao shortly before he developed symptoms
BUTUAN, Philippines – The virus didn’t begin in Agusan del Sur, but that’s where it landed, carried by a man who had recently traveled from Davao City, a place already on alert for multiple confirmed cases of mpox.
The man is now in isolation in a local hospital, and the confirmation of his infection registered as the first known case of the viral disease in Caraga, a region that, until this week, had remained mpox-free, at least on paper.
The Caraga region, home to the world-renowned Siargao Island, is made up of the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands and the cities of Butuan, Cabadbaran, Bayugan, Surigao, Bislig and Tandag.
Health officials in Agusan del Sur confirmed the region’s first mpox case in a public advisory issued on Wednesday, June 18, and the man’s travel to Davao shortly before he developed symptoms.
On June 2, the Department of Health (DOH) in the Davao Region confirmed eight mpox cases, six of which were recorded in Davao City.
“He had developed a pimple-like rash on the face and consulted a health care provider. He was immediately isolated in one of the hospitals in the province for close monitoring and symptomatic treatment,” the Agusan del Sur Provincial Health Office stated in a public advisory.
Officials said the confirmatory testing was conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, the national reference laboratory for infectious diseases under the DOH.
The PHO said the patient’s close contacts have been identified and placed under quarantine. As of posting, none have developed symptoms.
The advisory, signed by Provincial Health Officer Jacqueline Frances Momville, did not disclose the name or specific location of the hospital where the patient is confined.
Talacogon Mayor Pauline Marie Masendo took to social media to urge residents to stay safe, sharing a public advisory from the Talacogon Rural Health Unit, following the confirmed mpox case.
Local officials advised those experiencing symptoms to stay home and self-isolate, proceed to the nearest health center, and undergo testing and treatment to help prevent transmission and avoid complications.
“This isn’t just for our own safety, but also to protect our families, children, visitors, and the entire community,” the advisory added.
Sophia Alejandro, a mother and resident of Butuan City, Caraga’s regional center, said she was less alarmed by the mpox case than during the COVID-19 period, which saw lockdowns across the region.
“The doctor said it’s not as severe as COVID. It just causes skin problems. For me, it’s nothing to panic about. People shouldn’t be alarmed,” Alejandro said.
She added that while the disease may appear concerning, public awareness was more important than causing unnecessary fear.
The PHO said it was coordinating with local health units and the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Caraga to prevent community transmission and implement control measures.
In a separate statement, DOH-CHD Caraga called on the public to remain vigilant and informed. It said mpox is a viral and zoonotic disease, and that transmission occurs mainly through direct skin contact or indirect contact with contaminated materials such as bedding and clothing.
Earlier, Dr. Amethyst Kathleen Alicante, cluster head of the DOH-CHD’s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, said, “Mpox is not an airborne disease. It can be transmitted primarily through prolonged close contact with an infected individual or through contact with contaminated materials.” – Rappler.com
