Hong Kong: More precautions as authorities try to stop spread of disease
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended the screening of all air passengers travelling from countries affected by the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The disease is now known to have affected more than 1,000 people across the world – with more than 50 deaths – and health authorities are anxious to stop the disease spreading.
The Independent says the WHO is now advising that travellers from the areas worst-hit; Guangdong in southern China, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Taiwan, Singapore and Toronto, should be asked if they have had any contact with the disease before they are allowed to board an aircraft. Cases of the disease spreading during air travel have not yet been proved but the WHO says it could be transmitted to passengers sitting within one or two rows of an infected person.
Hong Kong has become the latest state to bring in special laws to combat the disease; schools will close for a week from today and anyone who has had SARS will not be allowed to go to work or school for 10 days.
