Malaysia requires flu scans for RP, 2 others

By Cynthia Balana
Philippine Daily Inquirer
07/16/2009

MANILA, Philippines—Malaysia is now requiring passengers from the Philippines and two other countries to be scanned twice as the number of Filipinos afflicted with the Influenza A(H1N1) virus abroad continues to swell, according to the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

In its update on the H1NI flu virus sent to the home office last July 9, the embassy said that passengers arriving in Malaysia from the Philippines, the United States, Australia have been required to undergo scanning when they alight from the aircraft and before they reach the immigration counter.

“The Ministry of Health requires passengers, including those on official trips, that they must submit their health embarkation and undergo thermal check at the airport embarkation,” the embassy said.

The number of confirmed cases in Malaysia has risen to 244.

The embassy did not give the number of Filipinos afflicted with the virus but said there was no new case involving Filipinos.

It said the Ministry of Health has been requiring passengers, including those on official trips, to submit their health embarkation and undergo thermal check at the airport embarkation.

In Vietnam, the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi reported the first Filipino there to have contracted the virus.

In Shanghai, the Philippine Consulate General reported two confirmed cases of Filipinos with the H1N1 flu. The first patient has been cleared and released by health authorities.

A total of 12 Filipinos were placed under quarantine after exhibiting symptoms of the H1N1 flu, it said.

The Philippine Consulate General in Chongqing also reported the first Filipino there to have the H1N1 flu.

In Seoul, South Korea, five Filipinos were among 202 people who were confirmed to have the swine flu.

The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou said of the nine Filipino nationals who were suspected to be afflicted with the virus, one tested positive.

In Cambodia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia said a Filipino tested positive for the H1N1 flu.

In Xiamen, the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen reported that the first Filipino there to have contracted the H1N1 flu has been discharged.