Two more Pinoys die of MERS-CoV in Saudi Arabia

Two more Filipinos have died due to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Saudi Arabia this month, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

The latest deaths bring to five the total number of Filipinos who died due to the virus, which is prevalent in the Middle East region, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
 
At a press briefing, Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose did not disclose the identities and profiles of the Filipinos, but said the first victim died on May 12 and the other on May 18 in Jeddah – Saudi’s second largest city with a large number of Filipino workers.
 
“Our consulate is rendering assistance to their next of kin and their families have already been notified. They are also facilitating the end of service benefits due them and helping in the repatriation of their remains,” Jose told reporters.
 
Symptoms of MERS-COV, according to the World Health Organization, include fever, cough, shortness of breath and even diarrhea.
 
Hundreds of Filipino health workers are scattered in hospitals across the Middle East, making them susceptible to acquiring the virus as they are in close touch with infected patients.
 
Manila is not imposing any travel restrictions to and from the Arabian Peninsula, but the Philippine government called on Filipinos in the Middle East to exercise vigilance and practice health precautions for their own protection. — RSJ, GMA News

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