Mpox Case Confirmed in Mandaluyong, Public Health Alerts Renewed

Renewed awareness of mpox has circulated on social media following the confirmation of a case in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila. The property management office of Avida Towers Centera reportedly issued a notice to residents regarding a confirmed case of the disease. Social media users shared alleged copies of a memo dated June 25, stating that the condominium's management was notified by Mandaluyong City health authorities of a "confirmed case of Mpox." The notice indicated that the matter was being closely coordinated with the City Health Office and that appropriate health protocols were being observed. It encouraged residents to remain vigilant and practice preventive measures, such as frequent handwashing, avoiding skin-to-skin contact with individuals exhibiting rashes or lesions, refraining from sharing personal items, maintaining good personal hygiene, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, wearing face masks, and monitoring their health. The memo was also discussed on X (formerly Twitter) and within the "r/Mandaluyong" community on Reddit, where some users claimed to have received similar advisories. One Reddit user noted the case occurred in "T4" (Tower 4) and commended Avida for its transparency and reassurance to residents. On Monday afternoon, the Mandaluyong City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) confirmed the mpox case in the city and advised residents to practice good personal hygiene. The CESU stated that it has immediately initiated the appropriate public health response, including case investigation, contact tracing, risk assessment, and monitoring of identified close contacts, in accordance with established health protocols. The unit reiterated its commitment to protecting public health through continuous disease surveillance, timely response, and transparent communication, promising updates through official channels as necessary. It also urged the public to respect the privacy of the individual involved and refrain from sharing unverified information that could cause confusion. The incident has prompted Filipinos to increase awareness of the disease, with many sharing reminders about hygiene and other preventive measures online. Comments such as "Always wash your hands and don't leave your unit!!" and warnings like "Monkey Pox is not a joke" and "Triple caution for us" have been observed. While the Philippines has had previous mpox cases, no confirmed cases had been reported this year prior to this incident. The last time mpox made headlines was around June 2025, when the Department of Health (DOH) noted a "slight increase" in cases. As of May 2025, the Philippines had recorded a total of 911 cases since 2024. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the global health emergency for mpox in September 2025. Mpox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, primarily spreading between people through close contact. Symptoms commonly include a rash that can last for two to four weeks, potentially accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. The WHO describes the rash as looking like blisters or sores, which can appear on the face, palms, soles, groin, genitals, and/or anal regions, as well as in the mouth, throat, anus, rectum, vagina, or eyes. Transmission can occur through skin-to-skin, mouth-to-mouth, or mouth-to-skin contact, and even through face-to-face interaction. Prevention measures include frequent handwashing, using alcohol-based sanitizers, minimizing skin-to-skin contact, and avoiding touching any rashes or scabs of an infected individual.