DOH Intensifies Vigilance on Prevention of MERSCoV

Butuan City (PNA) — The Department of Health Regional Office 13 (Caraga) has joined the creation of heightened national awareness and public vigilance against the dreaded Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERSCoV) and to prevent the spread of this communicable disease.

In a media advisory sent to the various media outlets here, DOH 13 (Caraga) said that the department had mobilized its Task Force MERSCov after a foreigner, who arrived from the Middle East , was referred 11:30 a.m. to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. Accordingly at 5:00 a.m. the test yielded a positive result.

Immediately, the DOH responded and the patient was admitted at the RITM. Presently, the patient was accordingly closely watched, stable and very cooperative.

DOH also said that the patient has a low viral load, which means that there not much MERSCoV Virus found in his body and there’s a great possibility of healing.

The DOH also said that in the meantime, the patient close contact who developed cough is also in isolation and her medical result is still awaited.

Task Force MERSCoV has started contact tracing of people who were possibly exposed with the foreigner during the history of his travel here in the country.

Those contacted will be monitored daily by the Regional Epidemiology Service Unit until they are cleared of possible MERSCoV infection.

DOH also declared that there was no documented community transmission of MERSCoV and there’s no cause for alarm.

The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend the imposition of any travel, trade or screening restrictions related to MERSCoV. However, it is advised that travelers whether tourists or migrant workers should maintain a high level of vigilance, especially those coming from MERSCoV infected.

The Bureau of Quarantine is also closely monitoring all points of entry in the Philippines to ensure surveillance of travelers from different countries. They are calling to the public to honestly fill-up the health declaration checklist (yellow form) as initial participation to prevent MERSCoV.

Hotlines are established 24/7 where calls maybe made by any citizen and foreign national residing in the Philippines who may need assistance (02) 711-1001; (02) 11-1002; 0920-0922-884-1564; 0920-949-8419 and 0915-772-5621. (PNA) RMA/NOEL B. NAJARRO/EDS