AKLAN -- Three Chinese tourists with influenza-like symptoms who recently arrived in Kalibo International Airport in Aklan on separate dates were brought to the provincial hospital where they underwent tests.

Dr. Cornelio Cuachon Jr., Provincial Health Officer 1 of Aklan Provincial Hospital, said they took specimens and blood samples from the 3 tourists.

"All of the 3 cases is mga mild na ubo and sipon but anyway, since galing sila sa China, kinunan sila ng specimen at blood sample para ipadala sa RITM [Research Institute for Tropical Medicine] for confirmatory [tests]," Cuachon said in a phone interview with ABS-CBN News.

The health officer also clarified that the 3 tourists were not quarantined.

"No, it’s not quarantine. Kung quarantine, you restrict ‘yong tao na hindi siya lumabas. Eto, dinischarge na at nakapunta na ng Boracay," he said.

Cuachon added that the Bureau of Quarantine and the Provincial Health Office of Aklan are strictly monitoring incoming tourists in Aklan, especially since there are direct flights from China to Kalibo International Airport.

Last Friday, a 29-year-old female tourist was brought to the provincial hospital after personnel of the Bureau of Quarantine detected that the tourist had fever, cough and colds. She was released after her temperature returned to normal the following day.

On Saturday, a 3-year-old Chinese girl was also brought to the provincial hospital but was released after a check-up.

On Monday, a 65-year-old male with influenza-like symptoms arrived from China, but he was also discharged after undergoing check-up in the provincial hospital. -with reports from Joyce Anne Clavecillas, ABS-CBN News