OFW placed under investigation after showing MERS-CoV symptoms

ILOILO CITY—An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Saudi Arabia was placed under person under investigation (PUI) status by Department of Health (DOH) after he showed symptoms of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

However, Dr. Jessie Glen Alonsabe, Regional Epidemiologist of Department of Health in Western Visayas, explained that it was standard operating procedure to place an individual under PUI especially because he came from the Middle East where MERS-CoV originated.

“It is just part of surveilance” Alonsabe said.

The 59-year-old OFW worked as a construction supervisor in Saudi Arabia. He arrived in Capiz last Dec. 30, 2015. However, he was brought to Iloilo last Jan. 3 after he developed fever and had cough.

Swab samples were taken from the patient and sent to Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RIITM) for confirmation. As of Wednesday afternoon, DOH-6 confirmed that the samples from the patient were negative of MERS-CoV.

MERS-CoV is a viral respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus and first reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. The virus primarily causes fever, cough and shortness of breath although other symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. RAM

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