Phl won't restrict Middle East travel despite cases of coronavirus

MANILA, Philippines - The government will not declare travel restrictions in the Middle East as there is still no outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV), Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential Communications Sec. Sonny Coloma said that following the instructions of President Benigno Aquino III, the Department of Health (DOH) issued an advisory which pointed out that no travel restrictions will be issued.

Instead, the DOH advised Pinoys travelling to the Middle East to avoid contact with persons showing influenza-like illness and to observe frequent handwashing.

On the other hand, those returning from the Middle East who have become ill within two weeks upon their arrival are also advised to delay visits to crowded areas and to seek immediate medical attention.

"All other persons who recently travelled to the middle east and are presently experiencing severe respiratory illness should be tested for the MERS-CoV infection at the nearest hospital," Coloma said at a televised press briefing, citing the DOH advisory.

Coloma said hospitals have been instructed to report to the DOH any patient who is suspected to have the disease.

The cases then will be reported to the National Epidemiology Center and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, which confirms the diagnosis.

On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that a Filipino in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates died of MERS-CoV last April 10.

Five other Filipinos there were also placed in quarantine but are recovering well, according to the DFA.

Malacañang said Philippine authorities in the Middle East continue to coordinate with health officials there in monitoring the condition of Filipinos.

The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in its website that the MERS-CoV causes the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, a viral respiratory illness.

The institution said most people who got infected with MERS-CoV developed severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath.