PR-064-2014
Embassy Calls on Filipino Community in Saudi Arabia
to Help Prevent Spread of MERS-CoV by following
Existing Government Guidance for Prevention
(Riyadh, 9 May 2014) – To prevent the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) among the Filipino community in the Kingdom, all Filipinos, especially Filipino healthcare workers in hospitals and other medical facilities, are urged to:
- Strictly follow the prevention techniques advised by the Saudi Ministry of Health and the Department of Health in the Philippines, specifically:
- Covering your mouth and nose with disposable tissues or with the upper part of your forearm when coughing or sneezing
- Washing hands properly, especially after coughing, sneezing and using toilets;
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; and,
- Maintaining good hygiene and good fitness, and having adequate amounts of sleep, fluids and nutritious food to boost your body resistance.
- Filipino healthcare workers are advised to strictly follow infection control protocols in their respective workplaces. Those who have been exposed to MERS-CoV patients may wish to undergo voluntary MERS-CoV screening thru their respective employers, especially if they intend to travel abroad.
- All international airports in the Philippines are currently enforcing strict screening procedures for MERS-CoV and other infectious diseases. Filipinos who intend to travel to the Philippines are encouraged to undergo voluntary MERS-CoV screening before departing Saudi Arabia. They may wish to obtain a certificate from the medical facility that they are free from infection so that possible delays are prevented upon their arrival in the Philippines.
The Embassy calls on all Filipinos to do their part in ensuring that their relatives and friends in the Philippines and in Saudi Arabia are not unduly infected by MERS-CoV, and also that the Philippines remains free of the virus. (END)
