Family of Pinoy MERS-CoV patient fears being stranded in Jeddah

The spouse of the Filipino worker in Jeddah who tested positive for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has expressed fears that his family may not be able to return to the Philippines in time for his daughter's enrollment.

In an interview with GMA News, John (not his real name) said they were supposed to return to the Philippines on April 25 for the enrollment of their daughter in college.

He said he had already bought four airplane tickets for the flight. This was before his wife, a nurse, was confined.

However, John said he decided to stay while his wife, who he said is in critical condition, got confined and is in isolation in a Jeddah hospital.

He said he had asked Philippines Airlines to refund or rebook the four tickets.

John fears that if PAL will not refund or rebook him and his family, they could no longer afford to stay for long in Jeddah as they were victims of super typhoon Yolanda.

“Sana naman bigyan po kami ng Philippine Airlines ng konsiderasyon na huwag kanselahin ang aming nabiling ticket sa kanila dahil hindi namin ito magagamit sa sitwasyon ngayon ng aking misis na hindi naman namin kagustuhan,” said John in an interview.

“Katatapos lang po ng Yolanda, yung konting ipon namin ay sinikap naming mabuo para may masilungan ang magulang ko doon walang wala talaga kami tapos sumunod itong mga problema," he added.

According to John, his wife got infected with MERS-CoV by a patient in the hospital where she is working.

MERS is a novel virus often referred to as the Middle East’s own version of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Symptoms of MERS include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and even diarrhea.

Human cases of MERS have also been reported in other Middle Eastern countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Oman.

Meanwhile, the DFA has advised Filipinos in the Middle East to take necessary precautions against the virus. — Amanda Fernandez/KBK/jl, GMA News

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