Monitors vs avian flu a standard at NAIA terminals, says MIAA exec

MANILA, Philippines—With or without an alert from health agencies, monitoring against the possible entry of the avian influenza virus is a standard measure at the arrival areas of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals, a top airport official said Friday.

Retired Major General Jose Angel Honrado, Manila International Airport Authority general manager, said in an interview that they have not received any advisory on the disease from the Department of Health or other concerned agencies.

“We have not received an advisory, but the Bureau of Quarantine is now drawing up plans for their course of action,’’ Honrado said.

He said thermal scanners manned by the airport’s medical personnel are positioned at the arrival concourses of NAIA’s three terminals to monitor for passengers with an unusually high temperature.

Possible carriers of the flu virus may have fever, dry cough, runny nose, headache, diarrhea and difficulty in breathing.

“Even if there was no alert, the scanner has always been in operation,’’ Honrado said.