11 Filipinos show MERS-CoV symptoms

MANILA, Philippines - Eleven people who had close contact with the Filipina nurse diagnosed with the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) have shown symptoms of the disease, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.

In a televised press conference, acting DOH Secretary Janette Garin said a total of 56 people who had close contact with the Filipina nurse were located and yielded negative results in the first round of medical tests that used nose and throat swab samples.

Eleven of the 56 people, however, cannot be considered "entirely negative" of MERS-CoV as they manifested symptoms such as cough and pneumonia.

"The reason we did not consider them as entirely negative was based on the advice of the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control," Garin said.

She said the 11 symptomatic patients will undergo another round of tests which involve the taking of blood, sputum and rectal swab samples.

The 56 close contacts did not include passengers of the Saudia Flight 860, which the Filipina nurse diagnosed with MERS-CoV used, according to Garin.

Garin said among the 220 passengers on board Saudia Flight 860, 92 have been located and agreed to be tested.

The health official is urging the remaining passengers to contact the DOH.

Related: Pinay nurse with MERS-CoV pregnant