MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) has tightened health screening and monitoring protocols in Philippine airports and seaports following international alerts over possible hantavirus exposure linked to the cruise vessel MV Hondius, which has 38 Filipino crew members onboard.
The DOH on Monday said stricter border surveillance measures are now being enforced in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) amid concerns over the rodent-borne disease reportedly detected aboard the ship that traveled from Ushuaia to Cape Verde.
Under the enhanced measures, all inbound travelers are required to complete health declarations through the eGovPH application before entering the country, including disclosure of recent travel history and any symptoms experienced.
BOQ personnel stationed at ports of entry are also conducting intensified monitoring, including temperature checks using infrared thermal scanners and assessment of passengers arriving from flagged countries.
The DOH said travelers exhibiting symptoms or those coming from high-risk areas will undergo further medical evaluation at BOQ offices inside airports and seaports.
Health authorities added that symptomatic travelers may be transferred to isolation facilities or designated DOH hospitals, including RITM, for treatment and close monitoring.
The agency reiterated that the country remains ready to conduct laboratory testing on the 38 Filipino crew members aboard MV Hondius once they return to the Philippines.
“Ang 38 Filipino crew mula sa nasabing cruise ship ay kukumpletuhin ang anim na linggong quarantine sa Netherlands,” the DOH said.
Hantavirus is a disease transmitted from rodents to humans and may cause symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle pain. Severe cases can lead to respiratory complications.
Despite the international alert, the DOH emphasized that the Philippines has not recorded any hantavirus case so far this year./PN
