필리핀에서 중동 호흡기증후군(메르스) 의 심 증세로 사망한 환자가 처음으로 발생해 보건당국에 비상이 걸렸다.
지난달 29일 수도 마닐라의 한 병원에서 사우디아라비아인(63)이 메르스 의심 증세가 악화해 숨졌다고 현지 언론이 4일 전했다.
필리핀 보건부는 이 환자가 지난날 17일 입국한 관광객으로, 기침과 고열 등의 증세로 입원한 지 하루 만에 사망했다고 밝혔다.
보건부는 이 환자의 존재를 사망 당일에야 통보받는 바람에 생존 때 메르스 확 진 검사에 필요한 샘플을 채취하지 못했다며 세계보건기구(WHO)와 협의해 필리핀에 서 발생한 첫 메르스 사망자로 볼지 결정하겠다고 설명했다.
보건부는 이 환자와 접촉한 의료진 12명을 검사한 결과 음성 판정이 나왔지만 1 4일간 격리 조치하고 다른 접촉자를 추적하고 있다.
올해 필리핀에서는 사우디아라비아에서 귀국한 간호사 등 2명의 메르스 환자가 발생했지만 모두 완치됐다. (연합)
<관련 영문 기사>
Saudi national with suspected MERS dies in Philippines
A Saudi national suspected of carrying the MERS virus has died while visiting the Philippines, the health department said on Saturday.
The patient, who had a cough, fever and occasional chills, died in an undisclosed hospital last Tuesday after a two-day confinement, Health Secretary Janette Garin said in a statement.
The patient’s X-ray results also “suggested” MERS infection, Garin said, without providing additional details.
Twelve health workers who had contact with the patient were isolated in government hospitals after they developed MERS symptoms, but they were negative for infection as of Saturday, she said.
Sixty-two other people who had contact with the patient had not developed symptoms, but will be monitored for 14 days, she said.
“We urge the public to be vigilant to make sure that MERS-CoV has a limited presence in our country,” she said.
“What is important is to report to the nearest hospital if you experience flu-like symptoms and a history of travel to the Arabian Peninsula or possible exposure to a MERS-CoV infected patient.”
Before the new suspected case, the Philippines this year confirmed two MERS cases: a 36-year-old man from the Middle East, whose nationality was not disclosed, and a Filipina nurse who returned to the country from Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia recently reported a surge in MERS infections with 19 deaths last August, ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage.
A total of 536 people have died of MERS in the kingdom since it first appeared in 2012, according to data from the Saudi health ministry’s website as of Friday. (AFP)
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