Davao City logs 6 monkeypox cases

The Davao City Health Office reported on Friday morning, May 30, six cases of monkeypox here, including the two cases recorded last month.

- By IVY TEJANO

CHO medical coordinator for emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, Dr. Sofia Corazon D. Zafra, confirmed this during a Davao City Disaster Radio interview.

Zafra said four patients remain active with monkeypox and are in stable condition, one has recovered, and the other patient died due to complications not related to the disease.

"The condition of the remaining patients is stable. None of the active cases are critical. We are continuously monitoring them and their close contacts," Zafra added.

Zafra highlighted the efforts of the City's Epidemiology Department, which is actively conducting monitoring, particularly of those identified over the past two to three weeks.

"So far, none of the monitored close contacts have shown symptoms," Zafra said. She, however, refused to provide further details on where they contracted monkeypox.

Despite the new cases, Zafra emphasized there is no cause for alarm. She said it is right to be vigilant, but there is no need to panic. She urged everyone to follow health protocols.

"Since the beginning, we have implemented health protocols like regular handwashing, avoiding physical contact, including skin-to-skin, and wearing face masks when needed," she said.