Pinoy Tests Positive for MERS-CoV in Saudi
MANILA – Another Filipino tested positive for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh said.
The embassy did not provide details about the new case, but it reminded Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, especially those working in the health sector, to continue taking all necessary precautions and observe health guidelines issued by the Saudi Ministry of Health and the Philippine’s Department of Health (DOH) against MERS-CoV.
”Filipino workers in the healthcare sector should strictly follow infection control protocols in their workplaces,” the embassy said.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Charles Jose said the department is still verifying the embassy’s report.
The embassy said Filipinos must maintain high vigilance against all types of infectious diseases despite the significant decrease in MERS-CoV incidence in Saudi Arabia in recent months.
”Filipinos who may have been tested or infected with the virus are strongly encouraged to report their conditions to the Embassy as soon as possible,” the embassy said.
”Information received by the Embassy with regard to MERS-CoV cases (or any other infectious diseases) among Filipinos will remain confidential.”
Embassy hotlines 0569893301 and 0515046362 are available for reports or information regarding MERS-CoV. Concerned citizens may also e-mail the embassy through lmadiong@riyadhpe.com.
In February, the DOF confirmed that a Filipina nurse from Saudi arrived in the Philippines and tested positive for MERS-CoV.
About a month later, three more Filipinos in Saudi tested positive for MERS-CoV.
The three–all women–work in different hospitals in Saudi Arabia.
Two are nurses while the other one works as a respiratory technician.
In April, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health said 6 Filipino nurses, 5 of them women, got infected with MERS-CoV.