A Filipina nurse in Saudi Arabia has been tested positive for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus or MERS-CoV.
The report has been confirmed by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday. According to DFA Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, the Filipina nurse has been responding well to treatment.
The unidentified Filipina, who is based in Jeddah, is expected to be transferred to an isolation room after a few days.
Based on the latest World Health Organization records, six new MERS-CoV cases have been reported by the National IHR Focal Point in Saudi Arabia between September 20 and 26 this year.
The DFA is appealing to Filipinos in Saudi Arabia to pay attention to personal hygiene and follow the local health advisories. The Philippines has no travel ban to the Middle East but has called on Filipino workers in the region to practice health precautions for their own protection.