Quezon City’s local government unit (LGU) activated its health response protocol after it was reported that the newest mpox case in the Philippines – a man who has sex with other men – visited a spa in the city, and sought help from a dermatologist who had a clinic also in the city four days later, when the mpox symptoms started appearing.
Stressing that the infectious disease that is caused by the monkeypox virus does not recognize borders, the 33-year-old male actually hails from a different city, but his visits to Quezon City may have exposed others to mpox, too.
After noticing rash-like skin lesions on the man’s arms, face, trunk, back, and other parts of the body, the doctor coordinated with the barangay to transport the man to Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Alabang to collect specimens.
“Mabuti at naging maagap ang naging tugon ng doktor sa pasyente kaya’t naiwasan ‘yung pagkalat pa ng virus (It’s good that the doctor quickly responded to the patient’s case and so the spread of the virus was avoided),” Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement.
The man also reportedly had sexual encounter with a fellow client in Infinity Spa along E. Rodriguez Avenue prior to the visit to the dermatologist, and reported having multiple sexual partners and frequented spas. The Quezon City government temporarily shut down Infinity Spa along E. Rodriguez Avenue, though not due to the mpox case, but after it was discovered that it lacked permits to operate.
After contact tracing, 41 individuals were identified to have come in contact with the man, including employees and clients of the two establishments. They are now under mandatory home quarantine or self-monitoring.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mpox (formerly monkeypox) – an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus – can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. While most people fully recover from it, some get very sick, and thus require medical care.
“Anyone can get mpox,” the WHO stressed, adding that it spreads from contact with infected, including: persons, through touch, kissing, or sex; animals, when hunting, skinning, or cooking them; materials, such as contaminated sheets, clothes or needles; and pregnant persons, who may pass the virus on to their unborn baby.
