4 co-passengers of OFW in N. Mindanao cleared of MERS

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – Four passengers aboard Etihad Airways Flight EY 0424 who were traced in Northern Mindanao have already been cleared of the MERS Coronavirus infection. 

A total of 5 passengers were traced by the Department of Health (DOH) Region 10 Epidemiology, Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit.

DOH-Region 10 Assistant Regional Director Dr Adriano Subaan said sample specimen from the passengers was sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City. They were initially isolated last week, when the department first announced the first laboratory-confirmed case of the infection in the country.

The overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from the United Arab Emirates as well as those he had immediate contact with – including hundreds of his co-passengers in the April 15 flight from Abu Dhabi – have already tested negative.

Subaan said the passengers in Northern Mindanao tested negative as of 11 pm Tuesday, April 22, and 4 of them were already cleared by the health department.

Those cleared were discharged on Wednesday, April 23, while the department still awaits the result of the fifth passenger.

A sixth passenger from the same flight who came to Northern Mindanao was traced but is currently in Ilocos Norte.

“We have made communication from the DOH in Ilocos to trace the sixth passenger,” Subaan said.

Subaan said that they had been trying their best to get the full cooperation of the passengers because much was at stake. He said other travelers who came from the Middle East had gone to the DOH regional office to have themselves checked.

“They were not on the same flight, but said they wanted to be tested for fear of infection, so far all has turned negative,” he said.

Ona earlier said the Philippines is free from MERS for now. 

MERS or the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus is a highly fatal, influenza-like illness characterized by fever, cough, and often with diarrhea. 

The World Health Organization reported Wednesday a total of 253 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS Coronavirus infection since September 2012, with 93 deaths worldwide.

A 41-year-old Filipina nurse died of MERS on August 29, 2013, while another OFW reportedly died of the virus last April 10.

Subaan said the virus’ mode of transmission is through close person-to-person contact via airborne droplets when coughing or sneezing.Incubation period for the virus is from 10 to 14 days. (READ: PH boosts MERS monitoring after UAE nurse scare)

He asked the public to observe proper and frequent handwashing and proper etiquette on coughing in public. – with a report from Jee Geronimo/Rappler.com