PHL EMBASSY REITERATES CALL TO FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN SAUDI ARABIA TO HELP PREVENT SPREAD OF MERS-COV BY FOLLOWING EXISTING GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR PREVENTION 27 May 2014 - Following a recent news article on the Embassy’s advisory regarding MERS-CoV testing for Filipino workers, the Embassy clarifies and reiterates that MERS-CoV testing is voluntary for Filipino workers, including those who intend to travel back to the Philippines. The Embassy further reiterates its previous advice that Filipino workers in the healthcare sector and those who have had contact with known MERS-CoV patients are strongly encouraged to voluntarily undergo MERS-CoV testing at least 14 days prior to travel abroad. The Embassy also reaffirms its 9 May 2014 advisory calling all Filipinos residing in the Kingdom, to strictly follow the basic protection measures issued by the Department of Health in the Philippines and the Saudi Ministry of Health, such as: • Covering your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing; • Washing your hands properly, especially after coughing, sneezing and using toilets; • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; and, • Maintaining good hygiene and have plenty of sleep, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food to boost your body resistance. Filipino health workers are advised to strictly follow infection control protocols in their workplace. Those who have been exposed to MERS-CoV patients may wish to undergo voluntary MERS-CoV screening through 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. The Filipino community in the Kingdom is advised to obtain MERS-CoV updates from the websites of the following agencies: Philippine Embassy (riyadhpe.dfa.gov.ph), the Department of Health (doh.gov.ph), and the Saudi Ministry of Health (moh.gov.sa). The Embassy also urges the Filipino community in the Kingdom to contact the following hotlines to share information on possible MERS-CoV cases involving Filipinos and for clarifications on the official guidance: 1. PHILIPPINE EMBASSY, RIYADH - +966 51 504 6362 2. PHILIPPINE CONSULATE, JEDDAH - +966 55 521 9613. END
Posted on: Tue, 27 May 2014 06:11:14 +0000