Malacañang Reiterates DOH Appeals on MERS-Cov

Malacañang reiterated the Department of Health’s (DOH) appeal to have everyone onboard the April 15 Etihad Airways flight EY0424 get tested for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said over 200 passengers, who traveled from Abu Dhabi with the Filipino nurse who was tested for MERS-CoV, were yet to be contacted by the DOH.

Coloma said the appeal was being made as a precaution in which all EY0424 passengers would be asked to undergo a simple nose and throat swab for free at the nearest government hospital.

The passengers may contact the DOH through the following numbers anytime: 711-1001; 711-1002; 0922-884-1564; 0920-949-8419; and 0915-772-5621.

At least one Filipino already died of the disease on April 10, as confirmed by authorities, while five others who were reportedly affected remain in quarantine as a precaution.

The government has not issued a travel ban to Middle East countries, as there is no MERS-CoV outbreak yet, but advised all Filipinos traveling to and from those areas to avoid contact with persons showing influenza-like illness and to observe frequent hand washing.

Those returning from the Middle East who become ill within two weeks upon arrival are also advised to delay visits to crowded places and seek immediate medical attention.

Image Credit: www.philstar.com