First Mpox Case Confirmed in Ozamiz City, Mayor Urges Calm and Vigilance

By: Bhal Abad Cabrera

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental – The Department of Health (DOH) Region X, through its Regional Epidemiology Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit, has officially confirmed the first positive case of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in Ozamiz City.

According to the DOH, the patient is currently under proper isolation and is being closely monitored while receiving medical care at the Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center (MHARS-MC). The patient is reportedly recovering well and initially came forward voluntarily upon showing symptoms — a move that health officials describe as both responsible and commendable. The City Health Office (CHO) immediately activated its contact tracing protocols following the diagnosis.

All individuals identified as close contacts have been traced and are now under observation, consistent with DOH guidelines. Ozamiz City Mayor Atty. Indy Oaminal called for public calm while reaffirming the city government’s commitment to transparency and swift response.

“I urge the public not to panic,” Oaminal said in an official statement. “The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine has confirmed that the Mpox clade in Ozamiz is Clade II – the milder, self-healing strain. There is no recorded case of the more severe Clade I strain in the Philippines.”

Still, the mayor emphasized that the confirmation of the case should be taken seriously and called for heightened vigilance among residents. Mpox symptoms include a painful rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle pain, back pain, and fatigue. Health authorities recommend that anyone experiencing these symptoms immediately consult the nearest health facility.

The public is also reminded to observe DOH Memorandum 2024-306, which mandates:

• Frequent and proper handwashing • Avoiding close and intimate physical contact

• Wearing close-fitting masks in crowded or enclosed spaces

• Immediate reporting of any related symptoms

“Even if the strain is not deadly, we cannot be complacent,” Oaminal said. “At the first sign of symptoms, go to the nearest health facility. Your cooperation will go a long way.”

Mpox, which was previously referred to as monkeypox, is a viral disease that has seen a global resurgence in recent years. While it is generally self-limiting, complications may arise without proper care and containment. This is the first documented Mpox case in Ozamiz City, and the DOH is working closely with the city government to ensure it remains the last. Ozamiz’s public health system, under Mayor Oaminal’s administration, has strengthened its disease surveillance and emergency response mechanisms in recent years, especially in light of lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of this report, the situation remains under control, and local authorities have not declared any lockdown or quarantine orders. City officials continue to urge residents to stay informed through verified sources and refrain from spreading misinformation.