By SAMMY JULIAN
Manila News Bureau Chief
MANILA – Two more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia have died due to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) this month, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported.
This brings to five the total number of Filipinos who have died in that Middle Eastern country due to the illness.
DFA said one of the latest victims died on May 12 while the other just this May 18 in Jeddah.
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Charles Jose declined to name the Filipinos. He said the Philippine Consulate is currently extending assistance to the families of the MERS victims.
Jose also said the consulate there is facilitating the “end of service” benefits due them and helping in the repatriation of their remains.
The first three Filipinos who died from MERS all worked in hospitals.
MERS was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and diarrhea.
There is still no vaccine, and MERS’ source is not yet known, although camels and bats have been pointed as possible vectors.
DFA earlier said there are no travel restrictions to and from the Arabian Peninsula.
Despite this, the DFA encourages Filipinos in the Middle East to take several precautionary measures for their own protection./PN
