Health protocols in place at ASEAN meetings amid Nipah virus threat —PNP

The Philippine National Police on Monday said that health protocols are in place as the interagency task force ensures that no threat would affect ASEAN meetings in the country.

“Kasama iyan. Actually, this is an interagency task force. Kasama dito ang Department of Health. Kasama dito ang Office of Civil Defense. At itong mga bagay na ito ay kasama sa threat updates. Kasi Nipah virus is also a threat,” PNP director for operations Police Major General Ronnie Francis Cariaga said at a press briefing.

(The Nipah virus threat is being considered. Actually, this is an interagency task force. The DOH is included. The OCD is included. And these things are included in the threat updates. Because Nipah virus is also a threat.)

“Hindi. We will continue. Actually, ang daming mga events na patuloy naman...Patuloy naman tayo basta completely secure naman 'yung mga health protocols natin, nasusunod nila,” he added.

(The Nipah virus threat wouldn’t affect the ASEAN meetings. We will continue. Actually, there are a lot of events that are continuing...We will continue as long as our health protocols are completely secure and being followed.)

ASEAN meetings started in January, according to Cariaga. There will also be leaders' meetings in May and November, he added.

On Sunday, the Department of Health said that there are no records of the Nipah virus in the Philippines and that the country has safeguards in place as it continues its preparations.

DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said the Philippines is among the countries, including Thailand and Taiwan, that are heightening efforts to prevent the virus from entering its borders.

There are dedicated spotters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport who observe arriving passengers for signs and symptoms, he said. —AOL, GMA Integrated News