Friday 5 September 2014
The Philippine Embassy issued an advisory on Thursday to all Filipinos in the Kingdom following a report issued the Department of Health (DOH) saying that a Saudi-based Filipino nurse tested positive for MERs-CoV upon arrival in Manila recently. "The Philippine Embassy would like to reiterate its previous adviseries to Filipinos specially workers in the health care sector to continue taking precautions and observe the guidelines issued by the Saudi Health Ministry and the DOH regarding the virus," the advisory said. It added that Filipino workers in the health care sector should strictly follow infection control protocols and procedures in their workplaces.
"They are also encouraged to take advantage of voluntary MERS-CoV screening tests available through their employers, especially if they intend to travel back to the Philippines," the advisory added. Filipinos who take screening tests, the advisory added, are advised to wait for their results before traveling and to acquire a copy of their test results for the perusal of Philippine health authorities upon their arrival in Manila or other Philippine entry points. The advisory added that the considerable decrease in the incidence of MERS-CoV in the Kingdom in recent months, thanks to vigilance and awarenes, is necessary to ensure the safety of loved ones, friends and colleagues, both in the Kingdom and in the Philippines.
"Filipinos who may have tested positive for the virus are strongly encouraged to report their conditions to the embassy as soon possible. Information received with regards MERS-CoV virus cases (or any other infectious diseases, such as Ebola) among Filipinos will remain confidential," the advisory added.
© Arab News 2014
