DOLE cautions OFWs against MERS-CoV

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV).

“Observing health protocols must already be a way of life for our OFWs. Pandemics can surface in any part of the world, and so I enjoin our OFWs to take care and be always mindful of their health and well-being,” Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

Baldoz reiterated the warning following reports that four OFWs in Saudi Arabia showed symptoms of MERS-CoV and were recently confirmed to have been diagnosed with the disease according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

DOLE also instructed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to issue Advisory 2, Series of 2015 which mentioned the preventive measures issued last year to guarantee the protection of OFWs against MERS-CoV.

The POEA advisory issued by POEA Administrator Hans Cacdac restated the health and sanitary guidelines to prevent migrant workers from being infected with MERS-CoV.

Among the guidelines included in the POEA advisory are proper personal hygiene, keeping away from animals and those who are sick or infected with the virus, practicing balanced diet and regular exercise and conducting infection control protocols. Patients showing symptoms of MERS-CoV were also advised to consult a doctor or immediately visit hospital or health facility.

“Let us diligently follow the POEA advisory. I urge OFWs, especially those in the Middle East countries, to observe the safety and protection measures,” Baldoz said.

The POEA also asked licensed recruitment agencies deploying health care workers to the Middle East to conduct special briefings on precautionary measures against MERS-CoV.

Cacdac advised recruitment agencies to be watchful of the health condition of the deployed workers in their respective work areas and immediately report if there are MERS-CoV cases in their workforce.

Meanwhile, DOLE said OFWs returning from a country affected by MERS-CoV must be monitored for 14 days to identify if they will develop signs and symptoms of the deadly virus. These symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, body weakness, cough, difficulty of breathing, unexplained bruising or bleeding, or severe diarrhea.

Patients who will be found with symptoms of MERS-CoV must prevent infection by covering their mouths and noses with surgical mask, handkerchief or a piece of cloth.

Last Monday, the DFA confirmed that four Filipino nurses working in a hospital in Saudi Arabia were infected with MERS-CoV.

RELATED: 4 Philippine nurses have MERS in Saudi