More vigilance urged to deter health threats

SEN. Bong Go has called for vigilance and proactive health measures amid potential health threats, including mpox.

Go stressed the importance of following the Department of Health's (DoH) guidelines to prevent the spread of emerging health threats.

In a radio interview on Saturday, Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, cited the country's experience with the Covid-19 pandemic.

«Let us follow the DoH's reminders to prevent its spread. If you feel you have the symptoms [seek the doctor immediately],» Go said in Filipino during a radio interview.

He said early and strict compliance with health protocols «is crucial to avoiding the widespread transmission seen in other countries.»

Go said that in 2019, he resisted the proposed budget cuts for the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, which played a key role in the country's fight against Covid-19.

Regarding the threat of mpox, he advised against complacency and called on the public to take the situation seriously.

The DoH has confirmed that the mpox case recently detected in the country is a mild variant of the virus, specifically the MPXV Clade 2, which is different from the variant causing fatalities in Africa.