Filipino from Dubai tests negative for MERS

MANILA, Philippines  — Philippine health officials say that a Filipino nurse who tested positive for the Middle East virus has been found free of infection in a subsequent examination after he returned home.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona says that the Filipino who returned Tuesday on an Etihad Airlines flight immediately subjected himself to quarantine along with relatives and others who greeted him on arrival from the United Arab Emirates.

The nurse was a co-worker of a Filipino paramedic who died from infection in the UAE on April 10.

Ona said Saturday the government has been trying to locate all 415 passengers on the same flight for testing for the frequently deadly virus.

Another official, Dr. Lyndon Leesuy, says 119 passengers have been contacted and 72 tested with 40 so far showing no infection.