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MERS-CoV Update as of 01 March 2015

 

The Philippine Embassy in Muscat wishes to remind the Filipino community regarding the following advisory on the prevention of MERS-CoV infection:

 

1. Always practice proper hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap, or hand rubs with alcohol. Do this before and after eating, before and after handling, cooking and preparing food, after coughing, sneezing, and using the toilets, and before and after touching animals.

 

2. Practice proper cough etiquette by covering your mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing. Use a facial tissue when coughing or sneezing, and cover your mouth and nose with it. Dispose the tissue in a waste basket.

 

3. Avoid contact with farm and domesticated animals, including camels.

 

4. Avoid contact with the sick. If you have respiratory illness, stay at home and wear a surgical mask to protect your family members.

 

5. If you are a health worker, strictly follow infection control protocols at your workplace.

6. Visit your doctor, a hospital or health facility at the soonest possible time if symptoms of MERS-CoV manifest itself. See the Official Gazette’s infographic on the symptoms of MERS-CoV: http://www.gov.ph/2014/04/22/infographic-advisory-on-mers-cov/

 

7. If you were in close contact with a confirmed MERS-CoV patient, comply with local health regulations and postpone any trip abroad or back to the Philippines until after test results are negative.

 

8. Practice healthy habits such as regular exercise, balanced and nutritional diet, and adequate sleep of at least eight hours, as it would help strengthen the body’s immunity.

 

9. Do not panic and believe rumors regarding MERS-CoV. Make sure that the information comes from relevant government authorities.

 

Returning OFWs, especially those from MERS-CoV affected countries, are advised to do the following:

 

1. Monitor your health for at least 14 days.

 

2. Should your develop symptoms of MERS-CoV, cover your mouth and nose with a piece of cloth, handkerchief, or surgical mask to prevent spread of infection.

 

3. Call any of the following numbers:

  • Bureau of Quarantine: (+632) 320-9101, (+632) 320-9107
  • OPCEN-Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS), DOH: (+63) 922-884-1564, (+63) 920-949-8419, (+63) 915-772-5621
  • National Epidemiology Center (NEC), DOH: (+632) 743-1937

 

For information and guidance. Thank you.