Allert vs new SARS virus issued

From: manilastandaadtoday

Airport authorities have set up thermal scanners for incoming passengers of international flights following an alert issued by the World Health Organization against a virus that killed 800 people, mostly in Asia, in 2003, a quarantine official said on Tuesday.

The official, who asked not to be named, said quarantine doctors were watching passengers with high body temperatures who could be affected by the new virus, which belongs to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) class.

Global health officials reported that at least one person died in Saudi Arabia and a Qatari in London is in critical condition after being infected by a coronavirus germ.  

The WHO said samples from the Qatari were similar to the Saudi national who died early this year. But WHO said the source of the infection is unknown and officials were not ready to recommend travel restrictions.

Airport quarantine officials said they were closely watching passengers of flights from the Middle East, particularly Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

SARS, which jumped to humans from civet cats in China, hit more than 30 countries after spreading worldwide from Hong Kong. 30