Three Chinese nationals bound for Boracay Island were brought to a hospital in the province of Aklan after they showed symptoms of the mysterious Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-like illness.
According to Dr. Cornelio Cuachon Jr. of the Provincial Health Office, the three had mild cough, fever, and colds when they arrived in Kalibo International Airport on separate dates.
“Since they were from China, we took specimens and blood samples from them,” he said.
The samples will be sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila for confirmatory tests.
Cuachon clarified that the three tourists were not quarantined.
“Kasi pagquarantine, you restrict and tao na hindi siya lumabas.They were allowed to proceed to Boracay. They were all outpatients,” he said.
On Jan. 17, a 29-year-old female tourist was brought personnel of the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) to the Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital, Aklan’s provincial hospital for medical tests.
On Jan. 18, a three-year-old girl, was also referred to the provincial hospital for tests.
On Jan. 19, a 65-year-old male also underwent a medical examination.
Earlier this month, the Department of Health (DOH) ordered the BOQ to intensify its surveillance of travelers entering the country.
It also urged the public, especially those with history of travel to China, to seek immediate medical attention if they are experiencing any flu-like symptoms.
The SARS-like virus was first discovered in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.IMT
