DOLE mounts info drive vs new flu strain

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is mounting a massive information campaign to ensure the protection of millions of Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia and other countries from a new flu strain similar to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said all departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), especially those bound for Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries, would be taught how to avoid the potentially deadly virus.

“Precautionary measures on how to avoid the new virus will now be included in pre-departure orientation of workers and they will also undergo post arrival seminars in our Philippine Overseas Labor Office,” Baldoz said.

Baldoz said she instructed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to coordinate with the Occupational Safety and Health Center and the Department of Health (DOH) in developing an information kit.

The other day, doctors assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport issued an advisory for OFWs in Saudi Arabia and Qatar to observe proper hygiene to avoid contracting the disease.

The World Health Organization earlier reported that a Qatari was seriously ill in the United Kingdom after traveling from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He was suffering from acute respiratory syndrome with renal failure.

A 60-year-old Saudi national has reportedly died after acquiring the virus that causes the flu strain.