By PIA-Bohol | 08:42 AM June 07, 2025
Amidst the impending threat of yet another viral infection in the monkeypox (mpox), Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado firms up a team in the Provincial Monkey Pox Task Force who will be tasked to formulate, implement and establish control and response mechanisms needed for the prevention of the spread of the infection.
Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever.
It spreads from contact with infected persons, through touch, kissing, or sex, infected animals, when hunting, skinning, or cooking them, or through materials, such as contaminated sheets, clothes or needles and from pregnant persons, who may pass the virus on to their unborn baby.
Dr. Edward Matthew Ylaya, infection control specialist and fellow of the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine in 2022, and who co-managed patients of mpox in its resurgence in 2022, said, this is still viral (like COVID) and transmission usually is direct skin to skin contact, prolonged contact.
Department of Health Development management officer Dr. Van Philip Baton also explained, “We have Clade 2 virus in the Philippines, it is less dangerous, does not lead into more complications and of less mortality rate.
Although there are no confirmed cases of mpox reported in Bohol, Governor Aumentado has ordered the Provincial Health Office to closely monitor the situation to ensure early detection and swift response if necessary.
“Wala pa kita’y kaso sa maong sakit, apan higpit natong gi-obserbahan ang sitwasyon pinaagi sa atong Provincial Health Office (PHO),” the governor said. [We do not have any cases yet, but we have ordered the Provioncial Health Office to closely monitor the situation.]
In Executive Order No 28, the governor proactively responded as the World Health organization declared mpox as a public health emergency of international concern after health authorities track outbreaks in some countries.
The move is also in response to the President Ferdinand Marcos’ order to concerned agencies to remain in constant vigilance against the spread of the virus in the country.
And while Central Visayas is still finalizing regional health protocols as the Department of Health issued Department Memorandum No. 2024-036 on the updated Interim Guidelines on the Prevention, Detection and Management of Mpox to make available enough level of operational details on the standard protocols to counter the emerging viral disease, Aumentado went on to mold the lead team.
With him as chairman and the provincial administrator as vice chair, the Provincial Task Force includes the Provincial Health Officer, Province-owned hospital heads, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Health Committee Chair, Epidemiology and surveillance coordinator, Disaster Risk and Medical Health Management Coordinator, Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Officer.
Department of Health head, Bureau of Quarantine head, General Services head, Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital Medical Center (GCGMMC) chief, GCGMMC infectious disease specialist, Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital Medical Chief, Interior and Local Government head, Police Provincial Director, Coast Guard Eastern and Western Bohol station commanders.
Other members include the Bureau of Fire Protection Director, Ports Authority-head, League of Municipalities of the Philippines president, Association of Municipal Health Officers president, Bohol Medical Society president, Hospital Association president and Red Cross chairman in Bohol.
Aside from spearheading control and response, the task force also monitors the status of the infection, map out ways to prevent transmission, emphasize information dissemination and ready a public information plan, advisories and bulletins especially its response plan by developing educational materials from this.
The task force would also lead in combatting dis and misinformation to prevent panic, ready health authorities and emergency responders as well as equip barangay health emergency and rescue teams with proper protection, set up referrals systems to appropriate medical facilities.
Using the COVID lessons, the team shall also improve response efforts, conduct contact tracing and monitoring of infected persons and perform other functions that may be necessary to accomplish objectives of the order.
As this developed, the governor has cautioned the public to be alert.
“Atong gipahimangno-an ang publiko nga mag-alerto kita sa atong panlawas ug dili una kita magtapok-tapok kung dili mahinungdanon ang katuyuan, aron kalikayan ang maong sakit.” We caution the public to remain vigilant and keep away from social gathering if it is not as important, so we can keep off the disease.
He also called for the everyone to maintain physical hygiene.
Take precautions, preventive measures and always wash your hands, the best defense is washing of hands with soap and water,” Dr. Baton urged.
“Kung adunay membro sa inyong pamilya nga musinati og dili kasagaran nga kahimtang sa panlawas ug adunay pagbutoy-butoy sa panit, ikonsulta dayon kamo sa atong mga health experts alang sa sayo nga detection.” [If you have family members experiencing something unusual and you see blisters, immediately bring him for consultation to our health experts for early detection, the governor urged.
The governor also called for unity in keeping Bohol safe from the virus, emphasizing that with everyone in, Bohol can do many things. (PIABohol)
