In order to contain the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the Philippine Embassy in Seoul wishes to reiterate its previous advisory dated 02 June 2015 for Filipinos in Korea to take preventive measures against MERS-CoV for their safety and precaution.

Post enjoins all Filipinos in Korea to observe the following measures to minimize the risk of being infected with the said virus: 1. Practice healthy habits such as regular exercise, balanced and nutritional diet, and adequate sleep of at least 8 hours, as it would help strengthen the body's immunity. 2. Practice proper hand hygiene always, by washing your hands with soap or hand rubs with alcohol before and after eating; before and after handling, cooking and preparing food; after coughing, sneezing and using the toilets; and after touching animals. 3. Avoid touching your face—especially the eye area, nose, and mouth—with unwashed hands. 4. Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces (e.g. door knobs, handles). 5. Practice proper cough etiquette by covering your mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing. Use a facial tissue when coughing or sneezing and cover your mouth and nose with it. Dispose the tissue in a waste basket. 6. Avoid contact with farm and domesticated animals, including camels. 7. Avoid contact with sick or infected with MERS-CoV. If you have respiratory illness, stay home and wear a surgical mask (ideally N95) to protect you family members. 8. Avoid going out unnecessarily. Stay put inside your homes and avoid public, especially confined, spaces. If travel cannot be avoided, please wear protective mask and observe proper hand hygiene at all times. 9. Make sure children follow these precautions. 10. If you are a health worker, strictly follow infection control protocols in your work. If you were in close contact with a confirmed MERS-CoV patient, comply with local health regulations and postpone any trip abroad until after test results are negative. Further, health workers who have been exposed to MERS-CoV patients are requested to undergo testing. 11. Know the symptoms of MERS-CoV (fever, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, coughing. Other possible symptoms are diarrhea and kidney failure). If you exhibit any of these symptoms, you are advised to undergo voluntary testing at your nearest hospital. If confirmed positive, you are requested to inform the Philippine Embassy so it can inform relevant Korean authorities and refer you to proper medical facilities equipped to handle MERS-infected patients.