WHO advises avoidance of SARS areas

The United Nations health agency today advised travellers to avoid visiting Hong Kong and the Chinese province of Guangdong because of a deadly outbreak of a mystery disease.

The World Health Organisation said it was taking the action because at least nine foreign businessmen have caught Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Hong Kong and returned with it to their home countries.

“People who are planning to travel to Hong Kong or Guangdong should consider postponing their travel until another time,” said WHO infectious diseases chief Dr David Heymann in Geneva.

SARS has killed at least 75 people and sickened more than 1,800, the huge majority in China and Hong Kong.

Until now, WHO had said travellers could continue going to the affected areas, but said they should be aware of the symptoms of the disease and seek medical help quickly if they became ill.

A number of countries have already advised their citizens to avoid the area, but many others simply followed WHO guidelines.

China today said there had been 361 new cases of the disease during March, with nine deaths. Two more people died in Canada – a country that was struck by SARS after travellers returned from the region carrying the disease.

Airlines have already said passenger numbers have fallen on flights to the affected areas, and the alert has had a big impact on Hong Kong business.

WHO has not issued advice to travellers intending to visit other countries hit by the disease.

Heymann said the outbreak appears to be under control in Vietnam and efforts to contain it in Singapore and Canada seem to be succeeding.