MANILA, Philippines ? Three passengers from Australia, including two children, were temporarily isolated after the thermal scanner indicated that the children had high fever, a symptom of the dreaded Influenza A virus, when they arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Bureau of Quarantine personnel said.

The Bureau personnel declined to give mediamen an official report and referred all inquiries to bureau director Dr. Edgardo Sabitsana, who could not be immediately reached for confirmation. The quarantine personnel, however, said there was no cause for alarm as the three passengers, whose names were withheld, did not have influenza.

According to sources, on-the-spot examination showed the children had 39 degrees Celsius fever. The two and their mother, were immediately brought to the bureau?s isolation area.

Tonsillitis

But a second examination confirmed the mother?s claim that her children were suffering from tonsillitis. As the children or the mother did not display any more Influenza A symptoms, they were allowed to go home to La Trinidad, Benguet.

Meanwhile, a source at the Bureau of Immigration office at NAIA said the agency was also on the lookout for the arrival of Filipinos who were among the 300 people from the Philippines and nearby countries who made a religious pilgrimage to Mexico.

Most of the Filipino pilgrims reportedly have not gone home yet and some were believed to be still in the United States.