Quarantine sought for OFWs from ME

MANILA, Philippines - Fearing the entry of the deadly Ebola virus in the country, the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) yesterday proposed a quarantine period of 42 days for Filipino workers coming home from West African countries affected by the outbreak.

PCP president Anthony Leachon said that a suspected Ebola patient should be isolated 21 days before leaving West Africa and another 21 days upon arriving in the Philippines.

“This is based on the new findings of the study of the World Health Organization that the incubation period of Ebola is 42 days and not 21 days,” he explained.

Leachon stressed that the country’s quarantine procedures must be strengthened as more than 3,000 Filipino workers from West Africa may be coming home for Christmas.

“We should protect our country first from the entry of Ebola virus, especially those coming from West African countries who are in the area of greatest peril. This should be the focus of our efforts in the light of the looming global epidemic on the dreaded virus,” he added.

The PCP has created a task force that will help the government in raising public awareness on the Ebola virus. The group is targeting doctors, especially those in the provinces, who may be lacking information about the deadly disease.

Leachon said the PCP is also willing to help the government come up with a training program for hospital personnel who will become the first responders for possible Ebola cases.