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Heartbreak for family of MERS virus victim as body cannot leave UAE
The sister of a paramedic who died from the MERS coronavirus in Al Ain has been told his remains cannot be sent back to the Philippines for burial because of the risk of infecting others.
Instead, the body of Abundio Verzosa Esporlas will be cremated after his family signed over power of attorney to the Filipino embassy.
The victim’s UK-based sister, who had travelled to the UAE to arrange for him to be flown back to his homeland, is due to return to Britain today after being told that UAE regulations will not allow her brother to leave the emirate.
The family, from Palompon in Leyte, had hoped to have him buried in the Philippines, but cannot get his body released for movement abroad. They will now hold their own memorial service in the Philippines, but none of the relatives will be in Al Ain when he is cremated, said a source close to the family.
His body is currently in a morgue in Al Ain while the embassy arranges for cremation, which is likely to cost the family Dhs6,000. Esporlas, 45, who worked for Al Ain ambulance section, was one of five staff who contracted the disease, according to Health Authority Abu Dhabi. His colleagues are recovering in quarantine at an Abu Dhabi hospital.
The embassy is now arranging the paperwork so that Esporlas’s cremation can take place this week. A private cremation company, previously used by the embassy, will carry out the service.
sean@7days.ae
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