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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, April 14, 2003

Manila Airport Implements Tighter Check for SARS

The international airport and health authorities in Manila have begun using screening devices to makesure departing and arriving passengers are not infected with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), an official said.


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The international airport and health authorities in Manila have begun using screening devices to makesure departing and arriving passengers are not infected with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), an official said.

Beginning Monday, all passengers especially those coming from countries with SARS cases will undergo the mandatory thermoscan test, the Philippine Daily Inquirer on-line news quoted Ninoy Aquino International Airport General Manager Edgardo Manda as saying.

A small, white instrument that fits into the hand called "thermoscan" can detect if the person has fever, one of the symptoms associated with SARS.

"If the person is detected to have fever, he would not be allowed to board the plane," Manda said, adding the patient would be brought directly to the San Lazaro Hospital or the Regional Institute for Tropical Medicine here.

Manda also said he has received information from Hong Kong authorities that all persons who have been in contact with a SARS patient would not be allowed to leave.

"Hong Kong is building up its database of people possibly infected with SARS so it would be easier for its immigration personnel to determine those they will bar from leaving," he added.

The Philippines is not yet among the SARS-infected countries, but has joined the list of 30 nations with probable or suspected SARS cases.

A meeting of the financial ministers from members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) slated later this month has been formally put off due to feared spreading of SARS.

The Philippine government announced last week to indefinitely postpone the 7th ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting, originally set on April 25 to 26, due to concerns on SARS.

Also last week, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo advised Filipinos against travelling to Hong Kong, and earmarked 1.5 billion pesos (28.8 million US dollars) as the emergency fund to curb the possible outbreak of the SARS decease in the country.


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