DOH calls for sobriety amid feasrs of Mers-Cov

AMID the first recorded case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome – Corona Virus (Mers-Cov) on Philippine soil, the Department of Health (DOH) called yesterday for sobriety.

Health Secretary Janette Garin, in an interview, said there is no reason for the people to panic since the government is on top of the situation.

“There is no reason to panic. The patient is being taken care of,” he said.

She said the DOH is constantly coordinating with other government agencies as part of the inter-agency committee on emerging diseases.

“We will be meeting twice a day for purposes of coordinating who are those who have tasks and what have they done so far,” said Garin.

The health chief said it is important for the public to maintain vigilance and observe the proper safety measures, especially those that are traveling to countries affected by Mers-Cov.

“We have to be watchful, and once you have cough, body malaise, fever, and breathing difficulty, it’s better to consult a doctor,” said Garin.

On Wednesday, the DOH reported the first confirmed case of Mers-Cov in the country after a Filipina nurse from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia arrived in Manila last Feb. 1.

Garin said the 32-year-old woman has been found to be about four to five weeks pregnant.

“Because she’s pregnant, she’s under the category of immunocompromised because her resistance is weaker as compared to a normal patient , and that’s what we are watching,” said Garin.

Because of her pregnancy, the health chief said they expect the patient to stay longer in the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City.

“Is the resistance is weak, the stronger the virus would be. It will liner for sometime,” said Garin.

For the moment, though, the patient already has no fever and is in stable condition but remains positive of Mers-Cov, said Garin.

She said doctors and nurses are closely monitoring the patient while the baby is under supervision of an obstetrician.