Govt advises against travel to SARS-infected states

Govt advises against travel to SARS-infected states

JAKARTA: Health authorities are advising people against non- essential travel to countries with reported cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), an official said on Thursday.

Indriyono, the director for epidemiology, said notices have been posted at main entry and exit points about the disease and where cases have been found.

Indonesia has no recorded case of SARS so far.

In Asia the disease has so far been detected in Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and China including Hong Kong. Cases have also been reported in North American and European countries.

Indriyono said regular information about the spread of the disease is being communicated to entry and exit points, major hospitals and provincial health officials.

Staff at air and sea ports in Jakarta, Medan, Bali and Batam, an island just south of Singapore, have been warned to be more alert in observing incoming passengers for possible signs of the disease, he said.

The disease has claimed at least 50 lives -- 31 in China's southern Guangdong province, 10 in Hong Kong, four in Vietnam, three in Canada and two in Singapore. -- AFP