DOH trains hospitals vs Ebola, MERS-CoV viruses

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) is not letting its guards down amid the possibility of the deadly Ebola virus and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus (MERSCoV) finding their way to the country.

Dr. Venus Fortuna, DOH Region 9 infectious disease unit chief, said the department has been conducting workshops to public hospitals in the region to make them prepare for the infection control through personal protection and equipment.

“We are concentrating on the preparedness of our hospitals to ensure that we are ready to deal with such cases,” Fortuna told newsmen here.

Fortuna said DOH-9 has already designated three public hospitals in Zamboanga City that would handle such cases of the deadly viruses.

The health officials were confident the deadly Ebola virus will not easily find its way to the country. Cases of MERSCoV were recently reported in the Philippines.

Fortuna said the preparation of against the MERSCoV is being done with the expected return of more than 2,000 Filipino-Muslims pilgrims who will join the hajj or pilgrimage this month in Mecca.

She said the international airport in Manila will be monitored upon the return of the pilgrims.