Self-quarantine urged for OFWs

MANILA, Philippines - Returning Filipinos were advised yesterday to quarantine themselves for 10 days from arrival to avoid the spread of A(H1N1) influenza, as a Filipina nurse in Saudi Arabia has been hospitalized after showing symptoms of the virus.

Administrator Jennifer Manalili of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said they have issued the advisory to protect the health of families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and those of the rest of the nation.

“We are encouraging our returning OFWs, particularly those coming from countries with confirmed H1N1 cases to go on 10-day self quarantine for the protection of their loved ones as well as other Filipinos,” she said.

Manalili said all Philippine embassies and labor offices are closely monitoring the situation of the millions of Filipinos working abroad.

“Our embassies are coming out with the necessary advisories to inform OFWs on how to protect themselves from influenza A(H1N1),” she said.

Manalili said the Filipina nurse is confined in a hospital in Saudi Arabia, while her husband and three children have been placed under quarantine.

“She and her family who traveled to various countries before going back to Saudi Arabia are still in isolation, but she is responding well to the medication and will probably be released from hospital soon,” she said.

Manalili said the POEA has adopted the necessary measures to protect employees attending to returning OFWs from the virus.

“Our employees were told to wash their hands frequently and to wear masks, particularly those who are assisting OFWs who are suffering from cough and cold,” she said.

The POEA observed all the precautionary measures recommended by the Department of Health to avoid the H1N1 virus, Manalili said.— Mayen Jaymalin