MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — Misawa base officials confirmed Tuesday that they are requiring all personnel — military and civilian — to complete a health screening questionnaire upon arrival at the base following international travel.

They also clarified that the decision to take the "stringent precautions" against any possible spread of swine flu was not ordered by U.S. Forces Japan, as originally stated Monday.

Instead, 35th Fighter Wing officials at Misawa decided to take the "additional measures," wing spokesman Capt. Martin Gerst said.

Under the new policy, all Misawa personnel traveling from outside of Japan to the base must report to the 35th Medical Group within 10 days of arrival to complete the medical screening — similar to what Japanese officials already are asking all arriving passengers to do.

"We’re just doing what [the Japanese] are doing," said Gerst.

He said the screening helps "make sure everyone is seen."

Gerst stressed that the decision was not made in response to a situation last week in which three military members who had flown through Narita International Airport were alerted that they might have been exposed to the H1N1 virus, or swine flu.

The troops were kept in their quarters, away from other people, were given medication and were monitored daily, Gerst said.

They were released late last week without "signs of infection," he said.

USFJ spokeswoman Maj. Denise Kerr said Tuesday that Misawa is the only U.S. military base that has taken the extra step of a follow-up health screening.

"They’re taking prudent measures they feel would be beneficial to their community," she said during a phone interview. "That wasn’t mandated by USFJ."

In an e-mail message early Tuesday, Kerr stressed that "preventative measures are a key focus area for" the U.S. military communities in Japan.

This includes "good hygiene activities and staying home if feeling ill," she said.