LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) — The Benguet Provincial Health Officer advises the public to remain calm assuring that there is no monkeypox or mpox case in the municipality of La Trinidad.
“There are no confirmed or suspected monkeypox cases originating from the municipality of La Trinidad,” Benguet Provincial Health Officer Dr. Meliarazon Dulay said in an interview.
The health official made the clarification following reports of an alleged mpox case detected in the capital town of Benguet.
Dulay said that as of June 4, 2025, there was only one confirmed case of mpox in Benguet particularly in Mankayan which was reported in April and has already recovered. Contact tracing has been completed and no other cases have been detected.
Rumors of an mpox case from La Trinidad surfaced after a suspected case sought medical care from a health facility in the capital town.
Dulay clarified that the person tested is a non-Benguet resident who purposely travelled to a health facility in La Trinidad to seek medical care.
The La Trinidad local government unit maintained no confirmed case of mpox originating from the municipality following tests conducted on suspected cases.
“The La Trinidad LGU is relieved to report that the test conducted on the suspected individual has yielded a negative result for mpox. This official confirmation has been provided and attested to by the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health Cordillera.”
The case was also directly verified with the Municipal Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit and the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit.
Dulay reiterated to the public to stay calm, avoid panic, and get information only from official sources.
Even with no mpox cases, she advised the public to observe preventive measures such as covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, ensure good airflow, wash hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer and refrain from contact with individuals who have mpox or who are manifesting symptoms.
“Please continue to observe good hygiene and minimum health standards and follow public health reminders,” Dulay said. PIA – CAR
