The Iloilo City Government has called on the Department of Health (DOH) to authorize the Uswag Molecular Laboratory to conduct local testing for Mpox (Monkeypox) following a rise in confirmed cases.
Mayor Jerry Treñas stated that Iloilo City has been prepared for Mpox testing since 2022, when the first case was recorded in the Philippines.
Treñas emphasized that the laboratory has sufficient equipment and trained personnel, but lacks test kits from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila.
The Uswag Molecular Laboratory, located in Barangay San Pedro, Molo, Iloilo City, was inaugurated in 2022 and initially used for COVID-19 testing.
It is one of the largest molecular laboratories in the country and is DOH- and RITM-accredited as a Level 2 biosafety facility.
As of the latest data, four confirmed cases and two suspected cases of Mpox have been recorded in Iloilo City.
Health officials remind the public that Mpox spreads through close physical contact, particularly intimate interactions.
The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with lesions or bodily fluids of an infected person.
Mayor Treñas continues to urge residents to observe safety protocols to prevent the further spread of the disease.
Mpox is a viral disease caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV), belonging to the same family as smallpox but generally less severe.
Symptoms include skin rashes, swollen lymph nodes, fever, sore throat, muscle pain, and fatigue, typically lasting two to four weeks.
The virus spreads through skin-to-skin contact, sexual interactions, prolonged face-to-face exposure, and contaminated objects such as clothing and linens.
While most cases are mild and self-limiting, individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises early detection, isolation, and supportive care to manage symptoms and prevent further transmission.