UK given travel bug warning

UK given travel bug warning

Tony Blair has postponed a trip to China

British people are being warned not to travel to Hong Kong and the Guangdong province of China in the light of the outbreak of the mystery pneumonia-like virus.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already advised tourists and business people not to travel to these areas because of the outbreak of the virus, which has claimed the lives of 75 people worldwide.

On Wednesday, the Department of Health said the UK public was "strongly advised" not to travel to Hong Kong and the Guangdong Province.

The Foreign Office has updated its website to incorporate the Department of Health advice relating to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars).

The government's chief medical officer Professor Sir Liam Donaldson said people travelling to Hong Kong or parts of China would be at "significant risk".

Daily review

Mr Blair has already postponed a trip to China, though Chinese authorities insist that is not linked to Sars.

The Department of Health said it was reviewing its advice on a daily basis and the warning could be extended to other countries later.

Cases of Sars have also been reported in Vietnam, Singapore, Toronto in Canada, Beijing, Shanxi and Taiwan.

People visiting these places should be aware that Sars cases were on the increase, the department said.

They should also be aware of the symptoms, which include fever, dry cough and breathing difficulties, and the fact they may have to be screened before air travel.

More cases

From 29 March 29, everyone arriving in Hong Kong will have to complete a health declaration form and people with Sars symptoms will be seen by staff from the Hong Kong health department.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, Mr Blair told MPs that the Foreign Office would be making an announcement on travel advice in the light of the outbreak of Sars later on Wednesday.

European countries are stepping up precautions at airports as more cases of the mystery illness spreading from Asia were reported in Germany and Spain.

The WHO said anyone intending to visit Hong Kong or Guangdong province "should consider postponing their travel until another time".

China has disclosed that nine more people died from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) in Guangdong last month, bringing the worldwide death toll to 75.

90% recovery rate

The WHO says the outbreak there has still not been contained.

More than 1,800 people have been infected worldwide, causing widespread fear and the imposition of emergency measures.

The WHO estimates Sars will prove fatal in around 4% of cases, usually where the person has an underlying condition such as diabetes or a weakened immune system.

But it said that in 90% of cases, people seem to recover around a week after being infected.

Sars outbreaks

China 1190 cases (46 deaths)

Hong Kong 685 (16)

Singapore 92 (4)

Vietnam 58 (4)

Canada 129 (6)

The illness has spread to more than a dozen countries and it is not clear if it is transmitted by sneezing and coughing, or by other means as well.

The WHO said it was issuing the travel advice "because of the fact that we don't completely understand the means of transmission in Hong Kong and because since 15 March, tourists and businessmen have returned from Hong Kong to their countries with infection".

It said the advice did not apply to other areas, such as Singapore, Vietnam or Canada, where outbreaks have been effectively contained.

It is the first time in more than a decade that the agency has advised travellers to avoid a particular area.

Free flights

The travel warning came amid growing criticism of China for being slow in releasing information about the illness.

A United States passenger plane was quarantined at a California airport after several people on board reported respiratory problems, which they believed to be Sars.

The American Airlines flight from Tokyo was held for two hours at San Jose International Airport, but none of the cases proved to be the virus and passengers were allowed to leave.

Reflecting growing concern over the illness, the United States has reduced its diplomatic presence in Hong Kong and Guangzhou, China, with non-essential staff offered free flights to leave.

France, the US, Canada, the Republic of Ireland and Australia have recently issued advice to cancel or "re-consider" trips to the affected regions.