April 14, 2003

WHO notes lower threat level of SARS in Taiwan

Published:April 14, 2003

Source:Taipei Times

The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Sunday that the World Health Organization has designated Taiwan as an area with limited local transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

The department announced that the WHO's communicable disease surveillance and response report issued Saturday on the Internet shows that the WHO believes Taiwan is not a high-risk area, unlike the world health body's assessment of other SARS-affected areas such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Hanoi and Canada.

On April 12, the WHO characterized Taiwan as an "area with limited local transmission, no evidence of international spread from the area since March 15, 2003, and no transmission other than close person-to-person contact reported."

Taiwan, London and the United States, though listed as areas with limited local transmission and no international spread of the disease, will remain on the "affected area" list, which includes Toronto, Canada; Singapore; Hanoi, Vietnam; Hong Kong; and Beijing, Guangdong and Shanxi, China.

According to the WHO's definition, an "affected area" is one in which local chains of transmission of SARS are occurring as reported by national public health authorities.

DOH Deputy Director Lee Lung-teng said on Sunday that although Taiwan, like Canada and the United States, is among the "affected areas," the change of Taiwan's designation will improve the situation in which some countries were discouraging their nationals from visiting areas with increased risks of SARS infections.

Malaysia has stipulated that all visitors from SARS-affected areas, including Taiwan, submit a health report to the Malaysian authorities to prove that the individual is not infected with SARS.

Thailand, which had earlier insisted that all Taiwanese visitors wear masks during their stays there, lifted the order last week.

Lee said that, with the change in the WHO designation, Malaysia and some other countries, which were preparing to bar Taiwan's citizens from entering their countries, are expected to call off that decision.