Italy takes tough line on Sars

By Chris Morris
BBC correspondent in Brussels

Some countries have already started screening for Sars

The Italian Government has said it will begin compulsory medical screening of all passengers arriving from countries which are affected by the Sars virus.

Anyone suspected of infection will be put in quarantine.

Earlier this week, European Union health ministers agreed that passengers arriving from affected areas should fill in questionnaires about their recent travels, but they turned down an Italian suggestion for compulsory screening across the continent.

Italy failed to persuade its European partners to take a tougher line, now it is acting alone.

The Health Ministry said doctors will carry out medical checks on all passengers arriving from countries where Sars has taken root - that includes people who might have stopped first in other European countries.

The measures will remain in place as long as the Sars emergency continues.

'Absurd not to act'

Italian Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia said it would be irresponsible not to tighten border controls.

Earlier this week, he tried unsuccessfully to convince his fellow EU health ministers to implement Europe-wide medical screening of newly-arrived passengers.

Now he is urging the EU to reconsider.

Mr Sirchia pointed out that the death rate from Sars among the elderly is much higher, and the elderly represent 20% of the EU's population.

Only nine probable Sars cases have been reported in Italy and there have been no deaths.

But in a newspaper interview, Mr Sirchia argued that it would be absurd not to act, faced with what he calls the possible nightmare scenario of a Sars outbreak in Europe during the next cold season.