Cops tapped to help locate suspected MERS virus carriers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police is now coordinating with the Department of Health for the simultaneous operation to identify and locate other 417 co-passengers of an Overseas Filipino Worker, allegedly infected with deadly MERS Corona Virus.

The OFW arrived in the country from Abu Dhabi last Tuesday around  3:30 p.m. via Etihad Airways Flight Number EY 424.

The PNP said policemen and the DOH personnel were also advised to take precautionary measures such as wearing personal and protective equipment like rubber gloves and masks for maximum protection; avoiding close contact with suspected infected persons; and washing of hands thoroughly after each operation.

"During mandatory quarantine operations, police officers are also directed to employ reasonable force in accordance with RA 9271 or the Quarantine Law of 2004," Police Director Ricardo Marquez, the PNP Directorate for Operations, said.

The DOH said an OFW, who was exposed to a patient who died in the United Arab Emirates of the MCV,   was tested positive for the same virus returned to the Philippines last Tuesday.

He was in transit from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to his hometown when personnel of DOH tracked him and directed him to report to the nearest hospital, together with his relatives and well-wishers.

To rule out the possibility that his co-passengers may have been exposed, passengers of Etihad Airways Flight Number EY 424 that arrived last April 15 are advised to call the following DOH hotlines at telephone numbers 711-1001; 711-1002; 0922-884-1564; 0920-949-8419; and 0915-772-5621 for immediate medical assistance.