What to do to avoid the deadly MERS virus

To prevent the spread of the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV),the Department of Health advises the public to strictly practice hygiene.

As prevention is always better than cure, DOH and The National Center for Health Promotion and National Center for Disease Prevention and Control are asking the public to maintain clean hands by washing with soap and water, and covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

Also, when hands are unwashed, do not touch your face especially the most sensitive parts like the areas of the eyes, nose, and mouth. Contact with sick people must be avoided as much as possible and people must ensure that frequently touched surfaces such as door knobs and handles are always clean, added DOH.

First reported in 2012 in Saudi Arabia, MERS-CoV  is continuously infecting citizens. MERS-CoV symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, and coughing. Diarrhea and kidney failure are also possible symptoms.

Recently a returning Overseas Filipino worker tested positive of MERS-CoV upon arrival in the Philippines but later tested negative. The gov’t is however still calling passengers of the Etihad Flight number EY 0424 who arrived on April 15 to contact the DOH immediately.

DOH also issued a health alert notice, urging Filipino and foreign travelers arriving in the country to immediately see a doctor when they have nasal congestion or difficulty of breathing, cough, sore throat,  are vomiting, among others.