Philippines steps up screening at airports

Gulfnews - Manila: The Government has enforced screening procedures at the country's international airports following reports of an outbreak of a fatal disease in neighbouring Cambodia.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, in an interview aired on the government-run dzRB on Saturday said that the Department of Health, through the National Epidemiology Centre (NEC), is currently monitoring the possible entry into the country of a fatal respiratory disease that has killed at least 60 children in Cambodia under seven years old.

"Arriving passengers can expect tighter screening at the airports," Lacierda said, adding that experts are still trying to determine the nature of this mysterious disease.

He said Health Secretary Enrique Ona had already issued instructions to the Bureau of Quarantine to be more vigilant in carrying out routine screening procedures at all international airports.

No let-up

The Philippines has several gateways to the country, these include the primary entry point, the three-terminal Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Clark in Pampanga, Laoag International Airport in the north, as well as the Cebu, Iloilo, Kalibo International Airport and the Bangoy International Airport in Davao.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) informed the Philippines about the disease after Cambodia reported several dozen deaths traced to the disease.

"Although a causative agent remains to be formally identified, all [available] samples were found negative for H5N1 and other influenza viruses, Sars, and Nipah virus," the WHO report said. No sign of illness were reported among hospital staff who took care of the patients.

"We are more vigilant in screening passengers at the country's international airports because of this latest news and there will be no let-up until this has been contained," Ona said.