Philippines on Alert for Mystery Cambodian Disease

The Philippines has stepped up screening of airport arrivals to prevent the entry of a mysterious disease that has killed 60 children in Cambodia, the health secretary said Saturday.

"We are more vigilant in screening passengers at the country's international airports because of this latest news and there will be no let-up until this has been contained," Health Secretary Enrique Ona told reporters.

He stressed that there were no travel restrictions to Cambodia despite the alert.

The unidentified disease has killed 60 young children in Cambodia in three months, the World Health Organization said earlier this week as it raced to identify the cause.

The symptoms include high fever and severe chest disease symptoms with some children showing signs of "neurological involvement," the WHO said.