NAIA on bird flu alert

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has raised an alert and has started screening arriving travelers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals following an increase in bird flu deaths in neighboring countries, particularly Indonesia.

In a memorandum to all government agencies and private groups operating at the NAIA, MIAA general manager Alfonso Cusi pointed to the persistent danger posed by bird flu.

"The Ministry of Health in Indonesia has confirmed the country’s 57th death from H5N1 (highly-infected form) Avian influenza. The 35-year-old female, whose infection was announced on Nov. 13, died early in the morning on Nov. 28, 2006 in a hospital. Of the 74 cases confirmed to date in Indonesia, 57 have been fatal," Cusi stated in his memorandum.

Cusi ordered anti-bird flu measures at the NAIA two terminals intensified such as mandatory screening of incoming passengers and flight crews of all international flights, footbaths, deployment of medical personnel, and continued close coordination among government agencies to ensure compliance of anti-bird flu measures.

Cusi pointed to the World Health Organization tally which placed the total number of bird flu cases at 258, with 154 confirmed deaths.

"With this, let everybody be aware of the renewed vigilance for bird flu watch. We cannot allow any risk or threat that will imperil our nation’s present condition," Cusi said.

Several Asian countries were badly hit by the bird flu virus. Hong Kong suffered billions in dollars in lost tourism and business revenue at the height of the scare. The international aviation industry also suffered huge losses due to a slowdown in tourist and business travel.