The deadly MERS-CoV virus has invaded Philippines after the Department of Health confirmed on Wednesday, February 11, the case of first Filipino with said illness.
The Filipina nurse who arrived from Saudi Arabia on February 1 is confirmed to be the first case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the country, Philstar reported.
DOH Undersecretary Nemesio Gako stated the 32-year-old nurse was carrying the deadly MERS-CoV unknowingly aboard Saudi Airlines flight 860.
The patient is presently confined at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City after she had a fever, experienced body pain, and had cough and difficulty in breathing. Her husband has also been admitted but shows no symptoms.
The Department of Health has now started tracing the 225 co-passengers on the flight.
The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 30% of people confirmed to have MERS-CoV infection have died.
Scientists believe camels may play a role in primary infections. MERS-CoV can then spread between people, but typically only if they are in close contact with one another.
Treatment of MERS-CoV
According to Mayo Clinic, treatment for MERS-CoV is directed at relieving symptoms and includes rest, fluids, pain relievers and oxygen therapy in severe cases.
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