The government will quarantine at Philippines airports passengers coming from other nations, especially those from Mexico and the United States, displaying symptoms of swine flu, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Sunday. The department said in a statement it has instructed the Bureau of Quarantine to hold for examinations any passenger suspected of carry flu following the reported swine flu outbreak in Mexico. Dr. Eric Tayag, head of the DOH's National Epidemiology Center, said is on alert to prevent the possible spread of the swine outbreak, which is expected by the World Health Organization to go global. DOH has ordered the quarantine officers to be on the watch in all Philippine airports as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the entry and spread of swine flu in the Philippines. The DOH said it has also alerted hospitals to be on the lookout and prepare anti-viral medicines in case of an epidemic. Swine flu is transferable from animals to humans and then from human to human. Tayag said that symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal flu like fever and sore throat. Swine influenza can be transmitted airborne or by direct contact with an infected person, he said, adding that sneezing and coughing are common ways of transferring the disease to another person. The DOH reminded Filipinos on Sunday to take precautions against getting the virus, including using mask, strengthening one's resistance and avoiding travel to places where swine flu has been reported.
