The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday confirmed that no cases of the Nipah virus have been detected in the Philippines, though it has heightened monitoring at all international gateways to prevent the virus from entering the country.
The announcement follows reports of confirmed Nipah cases in India. While the Philippines remains case-free, the DOH Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) stated that its always-on screening protocols are being strictly enforced at all airports and seaports to ensure public safety.
The DOH highlighted several layers of defense currently active at all ports of entry.
All arrival concourses are equipped with infrared scanners, and an automated alarm triggers if a passenger’s body temperature exceeds 37.5°C.
Two BOQ nurses are stationed at thermal scanning points to manage alerts and conduct initial assessments. Health spotters are also deployed to manually observe arriving passengers for physical symptoms, such as wounds or rashes.
Incoming travelers are required to complete a health declaration via the eTravel app. Those arriving from flagged countries with active outbreaks face additional interviews and physical examinations.
Should a passenger show symptoms consistent with the virus, the DOH has established protocols to transport them directly to specialized facilities, such as the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), for observation and testing.
Nipah is a zoonotic virus primarily transmitted to humans from fruit bats or infected animals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while it does not spread as easily between humans as COVID-19, it is significantly more lethal, with a case fatality rate estimated between 40% and 75%.
Symptoms include fever, headache, cough, and sore throat, which can progress to acute respiratory infection and fatal brain swelling or encephalitis.
Currently, there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the virus. The DOH urged the public to rely on verified information and assured that national health safeguards are sufficient to detect and manage potential threats at the border.