Highlights of the 2017 First Quarter Report
- Data on Arriving Passengers and Crew
For the first quarter of this year (January 1 to March 31, 2017), a total of 2,843,171 passengers and crews arrived at the major and minor ports of the Philippines. Ninoy Aquino International Airports 1, 2 and 3 had the highest number of documented arrivals accounting to 73% (n=2,075,810) of the total number of arrivals followed by Cebu Station with 417,202 or 14.67% (Tab. 1). Table 1. Number of Arriving Passengers and Crew by Aircraft, Cargo and Cruise ship at Points of Entry 1 January 31 March, 2017 (N= 2,843,171) 
Evidently, arrivals by aircraft registered the biggest number of arrival for the first quarter of this year. This was followed by arrivals from cargo vessels (Fig.1). Fig. 1 Number of Arrivals by Type of Conveyance and by Month January 1 to March 31, 2017, (N=2,843,171) 
Arrivals from cruise vessels have markedly increased this year (n-30,936 passengers and crew) as compared to the same period of 2016 (n-18,337). Starting 2017, Manila has been identified as the embarkation port for an Asian Cruise. Nine (9) cruise ship passengers were identified febrile through Thermal Scanning. Further evaluation revealed that these passengers had accompanying gastro-intestinal (GI) signs and symptoms. All cases were medically cleared. Two cases of medical evacuation were reported due to GI bleeding secondary GI mass and a case of an accidental fall resulting to a fracture. Both cases were referred for further management at a Manila Hospital. Fever Surveillance There were 65 (0.002%) passengers from the 2,843,171 seen to be febrile through thermal scanner. Of this number, one (1 or %) passenger detected to be febrile with flu – like symptoms on arrival through thermal scanner and had history of travel to countries with reported disease of Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Passenger was referred and admitted to Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for further management. Laboratory specimen yielded negative for any infectious disease.
- Referrals on Departing Passengers
(NCR Manila and Clark Station ONLY) For the first quarter of this year, 413 passengers departing from the country was referred and managed by the Quarantine Medical Officer (QMO) on duty for health assessment and clearance. Of this number, fifty-seven (57 or 13%) were deferred to travel due to conditions affecting the eye. (Table 3) Table 2. Leading Causes (Systemic) of Medical Referral of Departing Passengers for Quarantine Health Assessment and Clearance January 1 to March 31, 2017 (n=413) III. Other Health Events
- Reported Death on Board
For the first quarter of this year, there were eight (8) deaths on board reported and cleared at the Ninoy Aquino International Airports. Cases of reported deaths were not related to any infectious disease.
- Issuance of Certificate to Transport Human Remains
A total 1,752 incoming and outgoing human remains cleared at the points of entry. Of these number, 1,121 (64%) of the quarantine permits issued at the BoQ Headquarters. Table s2 shows the ten (10) leading causes of death reported and issued certificate to transport of human remains at BoQ Manila Headquarter. Table 3. Ten (10) Leading Causes of Death Reported and Issued Certificate to Transport Human Remains Manila, January 1 to March 31, 2017 (n=582) ** 
Considered to be one of the oldest government agencies, Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) is the health authority and a line bureau of the Department of Health (DOH). BOQ is mandated to ensure security against the introduction and spread of infectious diseases, emerging diseases and public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC).