SARS war: Dodging the virus

text and photos by P.J. Leo

Besides the war in Iraq, people around the world, particularly in Asia, are waging a different kind of battle. This war is against the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS.

While the Indonesian government has come under fire for its measures imposed to fight the spread of the often fatal virus, people have been forced to act to protect themselves.

In Jakarta people have started wearing surgical masks to prevent transmission.

The virus, which has no known cure, is believed to have invaded a number of countries via air travelers.

Many nations have imposed strict controls at airports and ports on passengers arriving from affected countries.

SARS is thought to have broken out in southern China and then spread via Hong Kong to at least 18 other countries.