Mom in Lanao del Sur negative for Mpox but child dies during delivery
File photos of Dr. Alinader Minalang, Lanao del Sur IPHO chief and the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City. (Photos courtesy of Dr. Alinader Minalang and APMC)
COTABATO CITY – Health officials in Lanao del Sur declared that the province remained free from Monkeypox (Mpox) infection after a confirmatory test of a suspected case turned out negative.
Dr. Alinader Minalang, head of the Lanao del Sur Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), said the laboratory results for a suspected Mpox case admitted at Amai Pakpak Medical Center (AMPC) in Marawi City were confirmed negative by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
“We express our gratitude to the Department of Health (DOH) and RITM for their crucial support, and in confirming this result, as well as to the healthcare team and partners for their swift response and vigilance in addressing this case,” Minalang said in an interview on Tuesday.
He also lauded local government units, AMPC personnel and development partners for their participation and continued support in ensuring public health safety in the province.
“While we commend our healthcare workers, we also thank the patient for her cooperation and adherence to protocols, which played a crucial role in this situation,” Minalang said.
Article continues after this advertisementThe patient, a 27-year-old pregnant woman from Malabang town, has chicken pox and not Monkeypox, Minalang said.
Article continues after this advertisementMpox, he explained, has similar symptoms to chicken pox.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
File photos of Dr. Alinader Minalang, Lanao del Sur IPHO chief and the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City. (Photos courtesy of Dr. Alinader Minalang and APMC)
“The mother is recovering in the hospital but unfortunately, her child did not survive during premature delivery on Monday,” Minalang said, adding that the cause of death of the baby could be due to the viral infection.
Minalang theorized that the patient may have acquired chicken pox from relatives and neighbors who may have unconsciously brought in the virus from somewhere else.
After the laboratory tests turned negative, Minalang said there was no reason to celebrate.
“While this result brings relief, the IPHO Lanao del Sur reminds everyone to remain vigilant and adhere to safety protocols to prevent the spread of Mpox and other infectious diseases,” he said.
Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr, health minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the defense against Mpox, among others, is the use of face masks in crowded places, frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with people having the disease.
READ: Lanao del Sur health execs sound alarm vs Mpox
He said Mpox is a virus that causes skin rashes and blisters in the face and all over the body of an infected person.
Its symptoms include fever, headache, body pain, back pain, weakness, having lymph nodes.
Both Sinolinding and Minalang have urged the public to remain vigilant and consult their doctors when experiencing the symptoms.
