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02/04/2003
SARS warning issued to British travellers
British travellers have been warned to defer from travelling to countries in south east Asia at the centre of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak.
The Health Department, following on from the World Health Organisation's (WHO) lead, is advising travellers to take appropriate precautions should they travel to Hong Kong, Hanoi, Singapore, Toronto, Beijing and Shanxi, and Taiwan.
Since the first recorded case in Hanoi, Vietnam, on February 26, the WHO believes there are now 1,804 suspected SARS cases in 16 countries – including three in the UK and two in the Republic of Ireland. A total of 62 deaths are now thought to be linked to the SARS virus.
The symptoms of the disease include high fever, coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. However, SARS appears to be less infectious than influenza and the incubation period is believed to be around three to six days. Nonetheless, the speed of international travel creates a risk that cases can rapidly spread around the world.
The WHO has advised port health authorities that all international travellers leaving affected areas (such as Hong Kong) should be screened before departure to detect symptoms.
It has been reported in a Canadian newspaper that scientists there believe the virus is mutated from human and animal cells. One theory is that China, with its high-density of the population and close proximity to farm animals, could be the source of the virus.
Currently there have been 1,492 suspected SARS cases identified in China and Hong Kong.
The Health Department, following on from the World Health Organisation's (WHO) lead, is advising travellers to take appropriate precautions should they travel to Hong Kong, Hanoi, Singapore, Toronto, Beijing and Shanxi, and Taiwan.
Since the first recorded case in Hanoi, Vietnam, on February 26, the WHO believes there are now 1,804 suspected SARS cases in 16 countries – including three in the UK and two in the Republic of Ireland. A total of 62 deaths are now thought to be linked to the SARS virus.
The symptoms of the disease include high fever, coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. However, SARS appears to be less infectious than influenza and the incubation period is believed to be around three to six days. Nonetheless, the speed of international travel creates a risk that cases can rapidly spread around the world.
The WHO has advised port health authorities that all international travellers leaving affected areas (such as Hong Kong) should be screened before departure to detect symptoms.
It has been reported in a Canadian newspaper that scientists there believe the virus is mutated from human and animal cells. One theory is that China, with its high-density of the population and close proximity to farm animals, could be the source of the virus.
Currently there have been 1,492 suspected SARS cases identified in China and Hong Kong.
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30 April 2003
WHO lift Canadian travel warning
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that travel advice warning people to avoid Toronto due to SARS have been lifted today.
WHO lift Canadian travel warning
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that travel advice warning people to avoid Toronto due to SARS have been lifted today.
23 June 2003
Hong Kong removed from Sars list
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has today removed Hong Kong from its list of Sars-affected areas. The agency has reported that 20 days, which is twice the maximum incubation period, have passed since the last case was isolated on 2 June.
Hong Kong removed from Sars list
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has today removed Hong Kong from its list of Sars-affected areas. The agency has reported that 20 days, which is twice the maximum incubation period, have passed since the last case was isolated on 2 June.
23 May 2003
WHO lifts China and Hong Kong travel warning
The World Health Organization (WHO) has lifted its warning over travel to Hong Kong and Guangdong province in China. The WHO has now changed its advice as the situation in these areas has now "improved significantly".
WHO lifts China and Hong Kong travel warning
The World Health Organization (WHO) has lifted its warning over travel to Hong Kong and Guangdong province in China. The WHO has now changed its advice as the situation in these areas has now "improved significantly".
18 April 2003
Boarding schools adopt SARS quarantine measures
Boarding schools across the UK are warning parents to keep their children at home if they have visited any SARS affected areas over the holiday period. The nation's most prestigious boarding school, Eton College in Surrey, has contacted parents to say that some pupils should not return for the summer term before serving a 10-day quarantine period.
Boarding schools adopt SARS quarantine measures
Boarding schools across the UK are warning parents to keep their children at home if they have visited any SARS affected areas over the holiday period. The nation's most prestigious boarding school, Eton College in Surrey, has contacted parents to say that some pupils should not return for the summer term before serving a 10-day quarantine period.
15 May 2003
UK's first SARS case confirmed
The first case of SARS in the UK has today been confirmed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). Following lab tests, the patient has been informed of their result, however no further details are available due to confidentiality reasons.
UK's first SARS case confirmed
The first case of SARS in the UK has today been confirmed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). Following lab tests, the patient has been informed of their result, however no further details are available due to confidentiality reasons.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
