DoH: Aklan OFW cleared from MERS-CoV

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Department of Health (DoH) cleared an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Aklan from the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome – Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) infection. 

 

Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Leslie Ann Luces of the Provincial Health Office (PHO)-Aklan stressed, “so far there is no case of MERS-CoV in Aklan,” in an interview by Barangay 92.9 Super Radyo Kalibo.

Luces said the male OFW from Kalibo was on vacation and was tested negative by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) last Sunday for possible exposure to the virus.

“We were able to track the OFW last Good Friday. The family members also submitted themselves for check-up and swab test,” she said. 

The OFW boarded the Etihad Airlines flight EY 0424 from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila on April 15. 

Of the 415 passengers, a male Filipino nurse was reportedly exposed to a Filipino paramedic who died from the disease in a hospital in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.

Last week, Task Force MERS-CoV mobilized by Department of Health (DoH) traced the male nurse and was tested negative by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

DoH said there were 21 persons from Western Visayas on the same flight with the male OFW nurse and was tracked for specimen testing.

Luces said the virus is communicable through exposure and close contact with the positive carrier and it is necessary for everyone to observe proper hand washing and cough etiquette to prevent the spread of MERS-CoV.

“There is no vaccine against the virus yet. The severe respiratory symptoms include cough, fever and cold. The fatality rate is also high for MERS cases in other countries,” Luces said, adding, the incubation period of the virus is usually 14 days. 

The virus is a newly recognized beta coronavirus that was first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia, the World Health Organization said. 

For suspected cases of MERS-CoV, PHO-Aklan can be contacted at 268-5926 or the nearest hospital for Filipinos who have returned recently from the Middle East.