DOLE lists 4 actions to avoid for OFWs in West Africa to avoid Ebola



Handshakes, bush meat, travel to areas with suspected outbreaks and contact with infected people topped the list of don'ts for Filipinos working in Guinea and other areas in West Africa so they will not get the dreaded Ebola virus.

On Monday, the Department of Labor and Employment issued the guideline even as it said no Filipino has so far been affected by the Ebola outbreak in western Africa.

"We strongly advise these precautionary and safety measures in the wake of international media reports that the government of Guinea in Wes Africa has urged people to remain calm following the outbreak of Ebola which had killed 70 people in that country since February 9," Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

"(The fact that no Filipino has so far been affected) doesn't mean there is not a need for proper medically-prescribed precautionary and safety measures to prevent being infected by Ebola considering that there is no vaccine yet against the virus," she added.

Also, she said the DOLE will coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs in monitoring the situation in West Africa constantly to ensure the protection and welfare of OFWs against the potential health threat.

In the meantime, she urged OFWs to remain calm while taking efforts to protect themselves against the threat.

The Labor Department cited media reports indicating more than 125 people in three countries in the area may have been affected by the Ebola virus.

Baldoz cited Philippine Overseas Employment Administration data indicating showed there are 4,620 OFWs deployed to 14 West African countries as of 2012.

Of these, 358 OFWs, 323 of them rehires, are in Guinea alone. There are 14 in Benin, 43 in Burkina Faso, two in Cape Verde, nine in Gambia, 657 in Ghana, three in Guinea-Bissau, 232 in Liberia, 82 in Mali, 155 in Mauritania, 62 in Niger, 1,997 in Nigeria, 78 in Senegal, 919 in Sierra Leone, and nine in Togo.

The DOLE said medical authorities warn the Ebola virus may spread through close contact with bodily fluids, such as the sweat, blood, and saliva of an infected person or animal.

"Doctors say the only way to contain the outbreak is to stop further infections. Health and social ministries of countries with cases of persons affected by the Ebola virus prescribe such measures as preventing handshakes, refraining from eating bush meat, and avoiding travel to areas where is a reported outbreak. They also advice against getting close to a person suspected of having the virus until getting medical advice," it said.

Meanwhile, Baldoz commended the Filipino United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers based in Monrovia, Liberia for their initiative to assist the DOLE and the DFA by keeping tabs on developments on the viral threat.

In the meantime, Baldoz urged OFWs in West Africa to address their concerns to Philippine missions in the region, including:
·         Philippine Embassy, No. 2 Kainji St. corner Lake Chad Crescent, Maitama District, FCT Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Hotline (+234) 8051752187; Public Information Hotline (+234) 8102541246; Email abuja.pc@dfa.gov.ph; abuja_pc@yahoo.co.uk; philemb_abuja@yahoo.co.uk
·         Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Libya, Philippine Embassy, Gargaresh Road, Km. 7, Hay Andalous, Tripoli, Libya; Hotline (21821) 483-7059 (FWRC/OWWA); Fax: (21821) 483-2544.

In the Philippines, OFWs and their families may call:
·         Philippine Overseas Employment Administration hotlines at 722-11-44 or 722-11-55
·         Overseas Workers Welfare Administration at tel. nos. 891-76-01 to 24 local 5401

·         DOLE hotline 527-8000.

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