EDITORIAL - Containing MERS-CoV

The patient’s fever subsided yesterday, but doctors are keeping her under close watch, being the country first’s case of MERS-CoV, or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. The woman, a nurse from Saudi Arabia, is also pregnant so the baby will be monitored.

After several outbreaks overseas of new strains of potentially deadly flu, Philippine health officials have drawn up protocols to prevent the spread of viral illnesses, including strict quarantine for highly contagious afflictions such as Ebola. The protocols are again being observed for MERS-CoV, but these can work only with the full cooperation of the public.

The nurse evaded detection at the NAIA, manifesting symptoms only a day after arriving from the Middle East on a Saudia flight on Feb. 1. As of yesterday, over 60 of her 225 fellow passengers on Flight 860 and nearly 50 of her relatives and those she has come in contact with since her arrival had undergone testing for MERS-CoV. The virus has a 14-day incubation period.

Other potentially deadly viral diseases such as AH1N1 and SARS have largely spared the country. There is speculation that the climate is not conducive to the long-term survival of certain viruses, but public cooperation also surely plays a part. Schools subject their students to screening when needed and promote sanitary practices, starting with regular hand washing, to keep away diseases. 

Carelessness and complacency, however, can allow viruses to spread. For many years the country has had one of the lowest incidences of AIDS and human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. The illness, however, is now on the rise, with the highest rates recorded among men having sex with men, according to the Department of Health. DOH experts have warned that HIV is spreading to the heterosexual population through sexual contact and have reminded the public to practice safe sex.

Preventing the spread of flu viruses should be simpler. The nation knows the drill and there’s no reason for MERS-CoV to spread or cause panic.