DFA, DOH urge OFWs not to panic over MERS-Cov

Graphic on the outbreak of the MERS virus, first detected in April 2012. AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Do not panic and be taken in by rumors about the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus, or MERS-Cov.

The calls were jointly made on Monday by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Health as they also told Filipinos based in the Middle East that “there is still no epidemic or outbreak of MERS-Cov” in the region.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) has not imposed travel restrictions to and from the Middle East,” said the two agencies.

In a statement, the foreign office disclosed that “one rumor alleges that United Arab Emirates health authorities have warned people to stay away for 72 hours from public places, such as malls, beaches, hospitals, parks and other locations that are believed to be hot spots of the new killer virus.”

The DFA advised Filipino migrant workers to dismiss such false claims.

“The WHO has recorded 243 confirmed cases of MERS-Cov worldwide, including 93 deaths, since March 2012,” said the DFA.

The agency noted that “there is no vaccine for the virus and its source is not yet known, although camels and bats have been pointed as possible sources.”

The DFA also urged Philippine nationals to practice the following health precautions for their own protection:

*  Avoid any contacts with people infected with MERS-Cov.

*  If you had close contacts with a confirmed MERS-Cov patient, comply with local health regulations and postpone any foreign trip until after test results prove to be negative.

*  Visit a health facility immediately after symptoms of the virus, including fever, sneezing, coughing and other indications of flu, manifest themselves.

*  Always practice proper hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap or rub them with alcohol before and after eating and handling or cooking food.

*  Avoid contacts with camels and other farm animals.

*  If you are a health worker, strictly follow infection control protocols in your place of work.

Meanwhile, the DOH issued a Bureau of Quarantine alert bulletin to returning Filipinos and other travelers from the Middle East “so that those who may be affected by the MERS-Cov will be given prompt assistance.”

“As there are thousands of Filipinos working in the Middle East and hundreds of them traveling to the region or returning home each day, it is important that their families, relatives and friends fully understand all that must be known about the virus,” said Health Secretary Enrique Ona.

He emphasized that “MERS-Cov is a communicable disease that may be passed on to others through exposure or close contacts with a positive carrier” of the virus.

Ona urged the public to cooperate with authorities in preventing the spread of the disease.  “It is important that we all work together to prevent the infection from spreading,” he added.

In a related development, the Department of Labor and Employment said it was not imposing a ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers to Middle East countries despite the growing number of MERS-Cov cases involving Filipino migrant workers.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Bandoz said such a ban would depend on the recommendation from the DFA.

The agency’s main concern would be to find out if other overseas Filipino workers have been afflicted with the virus, she added.

At least eight OFWs have been found positive for MERS-Cov. Two of them, one in Saudi Arabia and another in the UAE, reportedly died on Aug. 29 and April 10, respectively.

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