Filipino Nurse Tests Negative for MERS in Saudi – DFA

(PNA) – – A 50-year-old Filipino nurse, who was earlier diagnosed with MERS virus along with three other Philippine health workers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been discharged from the hospital after testing negative from the deadly infection, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

As this developed, DFA spokesman Charles Jose said another female Filipino nurse was reported to have been infected by MERS and has been placed under isolation.

Jose said the total of MERS cases involving Filipinos being monitored by the Philippine Embassy in Saudi remains at four.

This figure includes the two nurses who are recovering in the Intensive Care Unit, one male nurse in isolation and the new reported case of a Filipino nurse, whose identity was not disclosed by the DFA.

Jose said the two nurses in the ICU, aged 29 and 32, have shown signs of improvement.

“They have already awaken and one of them was able to communicate.” Jose said.

However, he said they would remain in the ICU until their condition becomes stable.

Manila is not enforcing a travel ban to Saudi Arabia, but has urged Filipinos residing in the Kingdom to exercise extreme caution and follow the health advisory of Saudi authorities, particularly those employed in the health care sector.

At least 10 Filipinos, mostly healthcare workers, have died from MERS in the Middle East since its outbreak in the region in 2013. (PNA) RMA/MDC/SGP