Palace Advises Filipinos in Korea to take Necessary Precautions vs MERS-CoV

(PNA) – Malacañang urged all Filipinos in South Korea on Sunday to take all necessary precautions against the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) after a number of South Koreans have been reportedly infected by the disease.

“Although there is no outbreak of MERS-CoV, our Philippine embassy in Seoul has issued an advisory regarding preventive measures that should be taken by Filipinos while in South Korea such as proper hand hygiene, avoiding contact with farm and domesticated animals, and for health workers to strictly follow infection control protocols and comply with local health regulations,” Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

Coloma said the government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), continues to monitor the situation in South Korea closely.

On Sunday, the South Korean Health Ministry confirmed the death of another victim of the MERS-CoV, the fifth fatality since the virus reached the country.

The health ministry also reported that a total of 64 South Koreans have been confirmed to be carrying the virus.

The Philippine embassy in South Korea has already issued tips on how to avoid being infected by the deadly virus. (PNA) SCS/JFM