DFA hoists alert level 2 for countries hit by Ebola virus

MANILA, Philippines  - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday raised the crisis alert level in Western Africa to level 2 following the Ebola virus outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Under alert level 2, Filipinos in affected countries are urged to restrict non-essential movements, avoid public places and take extra precautions against the disease.

"Only returning overseas Filipino workers (balik manggagawa) with existing employment contracts will be allowed to go back to the host country," DFA said, adding that it continues to monitor incidences of the virus outbreak in Western Africa.

Based on a report by the Associated Press, as of June 26, there have been a total of 386 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola virus reported in Guinea, including 280 deaths. Sierra Leone had reported 176 cases including 78 deaths while Liberia had 63 cases including 41 deaths.

The virus causes fever, muscle pains, headaches, vomiting, organ failure and death and is spread through human-to-human transmission via direct contact with blood or bodily fluids from an infected person or by contact with contaminated medical equipment.