Taiwan announces first Sars death

Taiwan announced today the island’s first Sars death and imposed a 10-day mandatory quarantine on all people arriving from areas hit hard by the flu-like disease.

The 56-year-old man who died on Saturday night contracted severe acute respiratory syndrome after his brother visited him. The brother was diagnosed with Sars after returning to Hong Kong weeks ago, officials said.

Foreigners arriving in Taiwan from countries and places hit hard by Sars will be quarantined for 10 days at government-designated quarters yet to be announced, while Taiwan residents will have to stay at home, premier Yu Shyi-kun said.

The affected areas include mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam and the Canadian city of Toronto, officials said.

“The Sars virus is a new, hidden enemy,” Yu said. “The government will take any necessary measures and put in more resources to prevent its spread.”

Foreigners coming from affected places must show certificates declaring they are in good health before they will be granted Taiwanese visas, the premier said. But even with health certificates, people arriving from those stricken areas will be quarantined on arrival, he said.

Authorities may not issue visas unless the visits are “absolutely essential” and could not be postponed, a government official said.

“We hope people from those areas will not apply for visas to Taiwan for the time being,” the official said.

Foreign ministry spokesman Richard Shih said Taiwan may revoke visa-free status for Singaporeans under the new measures. Details on visits by Americans and Europeans by way of the affected areas will be announced later.

Taiwan is struggling to contain Sars after a Taipei hospital reported 13 cases last week. More than 900 medical staff and 200 patients remained quarantined in the hospital for the fourth day today.

Taiwan has reported 55 Sars cases. Many of the patients fell sick after returning from China or Hong Kong.