A male Filino nurse who came home on Tuesday from United Arab Emirates was tested positive for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERSCoV), the Department of Health confirmed.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona said in a press conferance that the nurse “tested positive on the nose swab examination in UAE but completely no symptoms.”
The health worker was reportedly exposed to a fellow Filipino paramedic who died of the virus in UAE last week. He and his family went home for the Holy Week.
“DOH and Bureau of Quarantine put him in isolation with his family and everyone who has had contact with him within the past 24 hours. We also retested him and the result will come out on Friday,” he said.
There is no cure for people with MERS-CoV. Ona said persons who had contracted the virus could only be given medicines to address symptoms of the illness.
“Wala pang gamot ito. Symptomatic treatment… kung may lagnat ka, cough or muscle pain, you will be given symptomatic treatment. Wala tayong vaccine for this MERS virus for the moment,” said Ona.
Ona said the public should be aware of the symptoms of MERS-CoV, which include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and diarrhea. [Source here]