The Philippines and Turkey have reported of cases of Muslim pilgrims who recently performed Hajj and returned home with symptoms resembling Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
In Turkey, just days after the country reported their first MERS death, reports state that a 73-year-old woman who recently returned from Hajj went to the emergency room presenting symptoms of high fever and nausea. Hospital authorities immediately quarantined the emergency unit due to suspicions she could have MERS.
Across the world in Zamboanga City, Mindanao, Philippines, health officials are closely monitoring 4 additional Muslim pilgrims who recently returned from the Hajj.
Dr. Venus Fortuna of the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health in Western Mindanao told reporters that one of those being closely monitored has been confined and under isolation at a government hospital here.
Three pilgrims, previously placed under surveillance, have been cleared. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
