Philippine president quarantines self but feels fine

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will enter a hospital as part of the quarantine procedure to serve as an example of a responsible traveler helping to stop the spread of the disease, said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Arroyo was well and it was her decision to go into self-quarantine.

Arroyo returned late Monday from visits to Japan, the United States, Colombia, Brazil and Hong Kong to drum up foreign investments to help the country deal with the global financial crisis.

“She just wanted to show an example ... and she will also take advantage (of the time) to be able to take some rest,” Remonde said, adding that the president would also have routine checkups.

During the initial stages of the swine flu outbreak, Philippine health officials had suggested that travelers to affected countries self-quarantine between five and 10 days. Remonde said that Arroyo will not stay in the hospital for the full 10 days, but he did not provide a specific time period.

The Philippine health department has reported 861 swine flu cases in the country, all with mild symptoms. One woman with a chronic heart ailment who died was later found to have had the virus.

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