Philippine health officials took blood and saliva samples from three Chinese tourists bound for Boracay after they showed flu-like symptoms attached to the mysterious Chinese coronavirus disease.
The three individuals, however, were quarantined, according to Aklan Provincial Health Officer Cornelio Cuachon Jr.
An international health alert is up across the globe for a new strain of coronavirus that causes pneumonia and death. The disease is linked to the pandemic SARS virus.
“We just took samples from them and they were allowed to proceed to Boracay. They were all outpatients,” Cuachon said.
The tourists reportedly have mild cases of fever, cough and colds.
A 29-year-old woman was brought January 17 to Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital, the provincial hospital of Aklan, for medical tests.
A three year-old Chinese national was also brought to hospital for the same symptoms and a 65-year-old Chinese woman followed.
Blood samples were sent to the Department of Health and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for verification.
