Health authorities in Northern Samar are currently monitoring a suspected case of monkeypox involving a 24-year-old man from Catarman town. The patient has been displaying symptoms commonly associated with monkeypox, including a prolonged fever, body weakness, and vesicular rashes, which have persisted for the past two weeks.
In separate advisories issued on Sunday by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Municipal Health Office (MHO) of Catarman, officials confirmed the situation and emphasized that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent the spread of the disease. “We have one suspected monkeypox case—a 24-year-old man who has presented with fever, body weakness, and vesicular rashes over the past two weeks,” the advisories stated. They further assured the public, “Rest assured, our surveillance systems are fully operational, allowing us to closely monitor the situation and safeguard our community from potential health risks.”
Dr. Myrna Trongcoso, the municipal health officer of Catarman, revealed that both contact tracing and confirmatory tests are underway to establish whether the patient is indeed infected with monkeypox. She noted that the patient has no recent travel history, which could suggest that the virus may have been contracted locally. The patient has been in isolation at the Northern Samar Provincial Hospital in Catarman since Saturday night, as part of the protocol to contain any possible spread of the virus.
Rei Josiah Echano, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, provided additional context by disclosing that the patient had recently contracted dengue fever. He highlighted that some symptoms of dengue, such as body malaise and high fever, overlap with those of monkeypox, potentially complicating the diagnosis. This recent illness has added a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation as health authorities work to determine the exact nature of the patient’s condition.
The suspected case of monkeypox has raised concerns in the community, but health officials are urging residents to remain calm and vigilant. They reiterated that all necessary precautions are being taken, and further updates will be provided as soon as confirmatory test results are available. The situation continues to be closely monitored, to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents of Northern Samar.