Manny Pacquiao Heading Home Despite Swine Flu Fears

Manny Pacquiao has decided to return to the Philippines on Friday, even though the country's health secretary is worried that Pacquiao might be bringing the swine flu with him.

Government officials are concerned that Pacquiao, who beat Ricky Hatton on Saturday night in Las Vegas, could have contracted the H1N1 virus in the United States. They requested that he and his entourage quarantine themselves for five days before returning, but Pacquiao says he and those around him feel fine, and there's no reason to delay their return.

Anthony Golez, a physician and deputy presidential spokesperson, says Pacquiao is making a mistake:

"It's going to be a nightmare for the country if someone from his team exhibits signs and symptoms of the A(H1N1) virus," Golez said. ... "Consider this a very serious matter. ... Even if you are considered as the strongest man alive here, nobody is invincible to diseases, viruses or bacteria."

Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo postponed her planned luncheon with Pacquiao, and his national day of celebration and victory parade have been put on hold as well. The Philippines has not had any confirmed cases of swine flu.