Philippines: DOH confirms coronavirus MERS case - traveler from Dubai - July 5. 2015

[Shiloh]

Source: http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/...pines-doh.html DOH confirms first MERS-CoV case in the PH

By CNN Philippines Staff

Updated 10:14 AM PHT Mon, July 6, 2015




Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Department of Health (DOH) announced on Monday (July 6) the first case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) in the Philippines after a foreigner from the Middle East tested positive of the virus.
According to the DOH, the patient was referred to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) last Saturday (July 4) at 11:30 a.m.

edit - This is not the 1st case in the Philippines. This is the 2nd case. Please see post 3 below. s.s.

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.rappler.com/nation/98494-...itive-for-mers

DOH: Foreigner in PH tests positive for MERS

The patient is currently in isolation at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, and is recovering, the Department of Health says
Rappler.com
Published 10:04 AM, July 06, 2015
Updated 10:32 AM, July 06, 2015

...The DOH said the male foreigner had begun developing the symptoms of MERS ? coughing and fever ? on July 2. He was tested around 11:30 am on Saturday, July 4.

The tests yielded a positive result around 5 pm.

Eight other close contacts of the patient have been identified, with one currently in isolation for testing after she developed coughs.

Contact tracing is currently ongoing to identify other people whom the patient may have had close contact with.

DOH spokesperson Lyndon Lee Suy said the patient did not exhibit any symptoms of MERS when he entered the Philippines, which explains why the thermal scanners did not raise alarm...

[sharon sanders]

This is the 2nd coronavirus MERS case this year diagnosed in the Philippines. The case earlier this year:

#999 - Female, 32, health care worker, tested positive in the Philippines after trip from Saudi Arabia


I do not see the confirmation on the Department of Health website yet. I will check again later.

[Pathfinder]

Industries | Sun Jul 5, 2015 11:36pm EDT

UPDATE 1-Philippines confirms second MERS case

(Reuters) - The Philippines confirmed a second case of the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) corona virus on Monday in a man who showed symptoms after arriving in Manila last month from Dubai.

The 36-year-old was admitted to hospital on Saturday and was under observation, Health Ministry spokesman Lyndon Lee-suy said, adding contact tracing was now under way to prevent the spread of the disease.

The man had also travelled to Saudi Arabia, the spokesman said. His condition was improving and there was no known transmission so far.
...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/06/asia-health-mers-idUSL3N0ZM1JE20150706

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Philippines confirms second MERS case in man who travelled from Dubai

Posted 23 minutes ago

The Philippines has confirmed its second case of the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus.

The virus was detected in a 36-year-old foreigner who showed symptoms of the disease after arriving in Manila on June 19 from Dubai.

The man was admitted to a government hospital on July 4 and was under observation, Health Ministry spokesman Lyndon Lee-suy said.

The man had also travelled to Saudi Arabia, the spokesman said.
...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-06/philippines-confirms-second-mers-case/6598010

[sharon sanders]

Government press release.

Press Release/06 July 2015

The Department of Health (DOH) has mobilized Task Force MERSCoV to create heightened awareness and vigilance among our people on the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERSCoV) and prevent the spread of this communicable disease.

Last Saturday, 11:30 am, having received the referral Research Institute for Tropical Medicine about a foreigner with a cough and came from the Middle East. About twelve o'clock, the test yielded a positive result. Please update rumisponde patient and transferred to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). He is currently monitored, stable and very cooperative. Please see low viral load of patients. Ie, not so much the MERS coronavirus in her body and possibly heal it.

Sa kasalukuyan, in isolation din ang isa nyang close contact who developed cough. We are awaiting results of her test.

At the moment, Task Force MERSCoV has started contact tracing of people who were possibly exposed with the said foreigner during the history of travel here in the country. Those contacted will be monitored daily by the Regional Epidemiology Service Unit until they are cleared of a possible MERSCoV infection.

Let us remind the public that there is no documented community transmission of MERS. Usually occurs within the hospital fleeting things. Health workers are usually at risk. Transmission also occurs via repeated and close contact with a family member or a household companion.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend the imposition of any travel, trade, or screening restrictions related to MERSCoV. However, it is advised that travelers, whether tourists or migrant workers, should maintain a high level of vigilance, especially those coming from MERSCoV infected countries.

The DOH reiterated its call to Filipinos who have returned recently from the Middle East to report to the nearest hospital if they experience symptoms of the MERS-Corona Virus which are similar to the indications of flu, including fever with cough, cold, or sneezing.

The Bureau of Quarantine is closely monitoring all points of entry in the Philippines to ensure the surveillance of all incoming travelers from different countries. They are calling to the public to honestly fill-up the health declaration checklist (yellow form) as an initial participation to prevent MERSCoV in entering the Philippines.

MERS-Corona Virus is a communicable disease, so it is important that we all work together to prevent the infection from spreading.

?There is no reason to panic and we appeal to the public to respect the privacy of the patient. What is important now is for us to continue practicing proper hygiene, having adequate rest, balanced diet, all leading to a good resistance; allow us to emphasize that vigilance is still needed. Every one of us has a significant role in fighting MERSCov. Let us be pre-cautious, and adhere to the reminders given by the DOH. Your participation will save the lives of our families, loved ones and other people from MERSCoV. May papel kayo dito.? Garin concluded.

Hotlines are established 24/7 where calls may be made by our citizens and foreign nationals residing in the Philippines who may need assistance. They may be reached on the following telephone numbers: (02)711-1001; (02)711-1002; 0922-884-1564; 0920-949-8419; 0915-772-5621.

http://www.doh.gov.ph/top/node/15436.html

machine translation