WHO Adds Whole Of Taiwan To Sars Advisory Against All But Essential Travel
The United Nations health agency today extended its travel advisory against all but essential travel to the whole of
Taiwan Province, which has registered the third highest number of cases and deaths from newly emergent Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The World Health Organization (WHO) based its decision on information detailing the spread of SARS beyond the province's
capital of Taipei, which came under the advisory two weeks ago.
As of yesterday, Taiwan had reported 383 cases and 52 deaths from SARS, surpassed only by China with 5,248 cases and 294
deaths, and Hong Kong, with 1,718 cases and 293 deaths. Worldwide, SARS has infected 7,919 people, of whom 662 have
died.
WHO travel advice is issued to reduce opportunities for further global spread of SARS, a new disease first recognized in
late February that has spread along the routes of international air travel.
Current travel advice, whereby WHO recommends that people consider postponing all but essential travel, are now in
effect for several areas of China, namely: Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangdong, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Taiwan and
Tianjin.