THREE Cebuanos and two Boholanos tested negative for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-Cov) based on throat swab examination results released last week.
They were among the passengers on board a Saudi Airlines Flight SV870 and Cebu Pacific Flight SJ997 together with a Filipina nurse from General Santos City who initially tested positive of MERS-Cov but later cleared by doctors.
Reynan Cimafranca, chief of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU-7) said the five passengers voluntarily submitted themselves for throat swab examination after they were tracked down by health authorities.
In Cebu, the passengers took their throat swab test at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC). Cimafranca declined to identify the patients to protect their privacy.
“As of the moment, we are waiting for further instructions and information from the central office if there are other passengers of the two flights from Central Visayas,” he said.
Advisory
Cimafranca said there are no other Cebuanos or any tourists who came from MERS-Cov affected countries. He also encouraged those who manifest the symptoms of the fatal disease to consult a doctor for treatment.
Based on the Department of Health advisory, MERS-Cov is a highly fatal respiratory illness characterized by fever, cough and often with diarrhea. It can be transmitted through direct contact.
Filipino travelers to Middle East countries are advised to avoid contact with persons with influenza-like illness and observe frequent hand washing.
They must also report to the hospital if they become ill after 14 days from arrival and avoid visits to crowded places until symptoms disappear.
Proper hygiene
To Muslim pilgrims participating in the Umra and Hajj, DOH outlined several health tips.
They said pilgrims should observe proper hand hygiene; cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; keep distance of at least one meter from persons having acute febrile respiratory symptoms; avoid eating undercooked food prepared under unsanitary conditions; wash fruits and vegetables before eating; those who have respiratory illnesses are advised to delay their travels and consult a doctor before traveling.
During Umra or Hajj, they should report to the medical staff accompanying the group or the local health services; they should also cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing then wash hands afterwards; and avoid going to crowded places.
After the pilgrimage, they should minimize contact with others to keep from infecting them and cooperate with the actions advised by the health authorities.
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