MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) assured the people yesterday that there is no overseas Filipino worker that has been afflicted with the deadly Ebola virus.
Lyndon Lee Suy, DOH spokesman, also expressed confidence that the government is prepared to carry out the mandatory quarantine of all the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who will be returning from Ebola-affected countries in West Africa.
“We have no case of Ebola here or abroad. None that we know of but definitely we will know it because we will be notified if there is a case among Filipinos abroad,” Lee Suy said in an interview.
Lee Suy further noted that the Filipino crewman of a Greek ship who developed fever has tested negative of Ebola, according to a report they received from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
He said the Filipino seaman who was not immediately identified was undergoing further medical test to determine his illness.
The Filipino crewman of the Greek ship came from Guinea, one of the countries with an Ebola outbreak, and was on his way to Ukraine when he developed a fever that prompted authorities to have him tested for Ebola.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Filipino seaman with Ebola-like symptoms was diagnosed to be suffering from malaria and complications of the liver.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said this is according to the Philippine embassy in Athens which received a report from the manager of Greek-flagged ship Magda.
“The doctor ruled out possibility of Ebola,” Jose said.
The seaman is currently confined in a Greek private hospital.
Jose said the DFA and the embassy would continue to monitor the condition of the Filipino seaman.
As this developed, Lee Suy said systems are in place for the expected return of around 700 OFWs from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
“We have already selected the quarantine site where they could stay comfortably for 21 days and we have also planned what they will be eating and even how their food will be served,” Lee Suy noted.
Although he declined to identify the site, Lee Suy said, the area could accommodate between 60 to 70 people.
“They will not be coming home at the same time so that would be enough, but in case we will need additional space, we have another site prepared,” Lee Suy added.
He said the workers would be provided counseling while under quarantine so they will understand the need for them to be isolated and away from family for 21 days.
Lee Suy also reported that the Filipino United Nations peacekeeper from Liberia who was isolated after suffering from sore throat is now doing well and may join his colleagues in Caballo Island.
“He feels a lot better and is just completing his antibiotics. He was placed in isolation and under observation as a precautionary measure in case he may have other illness,” Lee Suy explained.
WHO defends Garin
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday supported acting Health Secretary Janette Garin’s decision not to use personal protective equipment (PPE) when she visited the Filipino peacekeepers under quarantine in Caballo Island in Manila Bay.
WHO said use of PPE is only necessary when in close contact with a person who is displaying symptoms of Ebola and should be worn only by people who have been trained in the correct way to use it.
“To catch Ebola requires direct contact with the body fluid of an infectious person. Patients suffering from Ebola only become infectious – that is only able to spread the virus to others – after they have developed symptoms,” the WHO said in a statement.
WHO issued the statement after Garin and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Pio Catapang and other military officials did not wear PPE when they visited the quarantine facility in Caballo Island where the UN peacekeepers will stay for 21 days after they returned from Liberia.
Various sectors criticized Garin and Catapang for allegedly breaking the protocol on quarantine for potential Ebola victims.
According to the WHO, the specialized clothing that include face cover, head cover and protective wear as well as gowns or coveralls is worn to protect those directly responsible and engaged in the care of people displaying symptoms of Ebola.
“When caring for an ill patient with Ebola, PPE should form part of range of measures to prevent transmission including appropriate facilities for barrier nursing and work organization, water and sanitation, hand hygiene, and waste management,” WHO pointed out.
At this time, WHO said the global supply of PPE is limited and should be used only where strictly necessary.
WHO also reiterated that the agency does not recommend general bans on travel or trade or general quarantine of travelers arriving from an Ebola affected country.
Current exit screening of all persons departing affected countries through international airports, seaports and major land crossings is recommended, WHO said.
WHO also reminded people returning from Ebola affected country to inform the quarantine medical officer on duty at the port of entry and monitor their health for 21 days.
People returning from Ebola-affected countries in West Africa, WHO said, have higher chance of becoming infected with malaria and not Ebola.
Thus, WHO said, any person returning from an Ebola affected country who develops a fever must be immediately treated for malaria even without a diagnostic test.
PPE for Garin
Senate President Franklin Drilon and Sen. Teofisto Guingona III defended Garin for her recent visit to the Filipino peacekeepers under quarantine in Caballo Island.
“There is undeniably a growing misunderstanding about the disease which creates unnecessary panic and anxiety among our people. I myself have a very limited knowledge about the virus and so do my colleagues,” Drilon said.
Drilon said that he believes Garin, as the chairperson of the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases in the Philippines, was only performing her duties when she went to Caballo Island to ensure that the Filipino United Nation peacekeepers are given proper medical care.
“As a health professional, Garin is fully aware of her actions. Let us not go overboard. I believe she will avoid actions that will endanger the public,” he added.
Guingona said that he would gladly shake the hands of Garin when she appears before the Senate this Monday just to show that there is nothing to fear.
“I think we are all safe,” Guingona said. – With Pia Lee-Brago, Marvin Sy