MIAA general manager Ed Monreal ordered medical staff and Human Quarantine staff at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to monitor all passengers from China, Macau, and Hong Kong who could bring the mysterious viral pneumonia to the country.
According to Monreal, no one has been able to say what kind of virus the ‘mysterious illness.’
“Hindi pa namin kumpirmado kung anong uri ng sakit mayroon ngayon sa China kaya naman ang mga awtoridad nila sa airport ay mahigpit ang ginagawang pagbabantay sa may dalang sakit na ito,” said Monreal.
(We have not yet confirmed what kind of illness there is today in China, so their airport authorities are working hard to keep an eye on this virus’ carrier.)
Monreal said his medical staff is monitoring all the passengers from the mentioned places 24/7.
Employees in the NAIA are also advised on the arrival area to wear medical masks for protection.
Mysterious viral China pneumonia: Sars ruled out
Health chiefs said the mysterious viral pneumonia that has infected dozens in central China is not Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars).
They also said the virus was neither bird flu nor Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, but investigations were continuing.
Seven of the 59 cases that have been reported in Wuhan city were considered critical.
Singapore and Hong Kong brought screening processes for travelers from Wuhan city because of the outbreak.
The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission posted on its website 163 people who had contact with the infected patients had been placed under medical observation. It also said they continue to investigate the identity and source of the virus.
The commission said that there had been no human-to-human transmission of the illness. It added that a number of those infected worked at a seafood market in the city, leading authorities to sanitize the area.