MANILA, Philippines — There is no immediate need to escalate the health alert level at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), as border surveillance remains both rigorous and consistent.
Health authorities have assured the public that the airport's Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ) is stationed 24/7 at all terminals to continue inspections and enforcing health protocols.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said that international arrivals underwent systematic health screening via automated thermal surveillance. This non-intrusive infrared scanning, typically conducted by BoQ personnel, detects elevated body temperatures in deplaning travelers.
International concern has risen following a confirmed Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal, India. On Jan. 28, 2026, the Indian government clarified that there were only two confirmed cases — both healthcare workers — while 196 individuals remained under quarantine.
The Philippines has prior experience with this disease, following a Nipah virus outbreak in Mindanao between March and May 2014.
The outbreak affected two villages, TInalon and Midtungok, in the province of Sultan Kudarat, resulted in 17 cases.
As of January 2026, the Department of Health confirms that no new cases of Nipah virus have been reported in the Philippines since the outbreak in 2014.
While the country remains at low risk, health officials are on high alert due to recent developments in neighboring regions like India.
The Philippine government mandates that all international travelers register via the official e-Travel portal within 72 hours of their flight.
The e-Travel system integrates traditional paper forms into a single digital platform to enhance border security and public health monitoring.
This infrastructure is essential for the nation's infectious disease response, providing the data necessary for real-time contact tracing and traveler health surveillance.
