AN airline official has reminded passengers that they must defer their flight if they feel anything unusual – itchy throat, coughing, or body weakness.

The reminder was issued by Philippine Airlines (PAL) Spokesperson Cielo Villaluna, after they confirmed that a passenger on one of their flights for Hong Kong on Monday, September 5, 2022, tested “positive” for monkeypox.

‘Self-regulation is key’

There are also cases whereby there are “no symptoms at all during the flight but only manifest later in the day,” said Villaluna.

Villaluna said, “in line with international health protocols, we have coordinated with the health authorities in Hong Kong and sharing relevant manifest information. We have communicated to the Philippine Department of Health [DOH] about the said case.”

“We are also notifying the passengers on the flight who were in close proximity to the affected traveler,” said Villaluna.

Villaluna advised the passengers of Flight PR300 to “monitor their health and seek medical attention if they show symptoms.”

Passengers who wish to get themselves checked can contact the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Hong Kong Department of Health (DH).

Villaluna said that based on the journey history of the passenger, found positive of monkeypox, he arrived in Manila last Sept. 4, 2022, from Toronto via PR119 and took the PR300 Manila-Hong Kong flight on Sept. 5.

“As such, our Customer Services team sent emails not only to passengers of PR300, but also to passengers of PR119. They have been advised to monitor their health condition,” said Villaluna.

PR300 passengers are still in quarantine in Hong Kong as part of mandatory arrival protocols.

They are under the jurisdiction of the HK Department of Health’s Center for Health Protection, which monitors their condition.

“Our passenger with monkeypox is currently confined at a Hong Kong hospital and is under strict monitoring,” said Villaluna.