Overseas Filipino worker under quarantine for Ebola

CEBU, Philippines - An overseas Filipino worker from an Ebola-stricken West African country has been placed under quarantine in Cebu since Wednesday.

The male OFW arrived at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Wednesday evening from Sierra Leone, one of the countries affected by the dreaded virus. 

Dr. Terrence Bermejo, chief of the Bureau of Quarantine-7, said he is the fourth to be subjected under the 21-day mandatory quarantine in Cebu. Bermejo clarified that the person is under investigation but does not show any symptoms of the virus.

“We have to make it clear, wala siya’y sakit sa Ebola, kay kung naa pa, diritso na unta ni siya sa ospital dili sa airport,” Bermejo said.

In fact, the members of his family are allowed to see him at the quarantine room.

He explained that they have to put the person under quarantine since they have to follow a protocol under the Quarantine Law.

“There has been a directive from the Office of the President to contain those people who were from the countries that were affected by the Ebola virus,” said Bermejo.

According to Bermejo, the person admitted he came from Sierra Leone. In fact, he is very cooperative and understood the protocol.

“He worked in Sierra Leone for about two years and left the country to attend the burial of his mother,” he said.

 As of January 16, there have been 21,800 Ebola cases with 8,650 deaths.   (FREEMAN)