BOQ reports zero Nipah cases intercepted

The Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ) disclosed on Saturday that no inbound traveler with Nipah virus has so far been intercepted at Philippine airports and seaports.

Dr. Roberto Salvador Jr., BoQ officer-in-charge director, said screening has been in place since the issue emerged, including for passengers arriving on direct flights from India, but no suspected cases have been detected.

“At present, since the issue about Nipah emerged, we have not monitored or intercepted any passenger, even from the direct flights from India that we are monitoring,” Salvador said in a radio interview.

Salvador said no additional travel restrictions are being imposed, with authorities instead focusing on closer scrutiny of inbound travelers.

“At present, we are not adding any travel restrictions. What is important is that we closely monitor travelers from the flights under watch,” he said.

“We are intensifying screening for fever, and spotters are important because they are clinically trained to detect additional signs and symptoms, especially if passengers did not properly declare correct information in the e-travel system,” he said.

Department of Health (DoH) Health Promotion Bureau Director Tina Marasigan said border surveillance and screening protocols are routinely implemented at all international airports and seaports, regardless of whether a specific virus is under monitoring.

Salvador said all airports and seaports have BoQ substations equipped with infrared thermal scanners positioned at arrival areas.

The health department said two BoQ nurses are assigned to each scanner to monitor inbound travelers, with alarms triggered when a passenger’s temperature exceeds 37.5 degrees Celsius, Marasigan said.

It added that, aside from thermal scanning, trained spotters are deployed to visually assess passengers for possible symptoms such as wounds or rashes.

Passengers flagged during primary screening undergo further interviews and physical examinations in line with health and safety protocols, the agency added.

Marasigan said those requiring further evaluation may be referred to DoH-designated hospitals, including the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

The official added that all inbound travelers are required to complete the health declaration checklist through the e-travel application to identify passengers arriving from flagged countries for possible additional screening.