Ebola, Middle East virus 'paramount concern' for gov't: Aquino

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno Aquino III said today that the outbreaks of Ebola virus disease and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are a "paramount concern" for his government because of the 10 million Filipinos living and working abroad.

Aquino made the remarks in his speech during the opening of the 65th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific here today. The meeting will run until October 17.

"Outbreaks of illnesses and diseases like the MERS-CoV and Ebola are among the greatest challenges the world faces today. For the Philippines, specifically, the fact that we have 10 million of our countrymen living and working abroad makes these kinds of outbreaks a paramount concern," he said.

The Middle East is the top destination for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Government data showed that there are 3,490 OFWs in Ebola-stricken countries in West Africa.

Aquino said the Philippine government will continue to exert effort to prevent the entry of deadly disease in the country without spreading fear and panic.

In his message, WHO Executive Director Ian Smith said the fear of infection has spread around the world much faster than the virus.

Citing World Bank data, Smith said 90 percent of the economic costs of any outbreak come from the "irrational and disorganized efforts" of the public to avoid infection.