China announces checks for West Nile Virus on travelers from US
( 2003-08-29 14:03) (Agencies)
Fresh from dealing with the SARS virus, China will check airline passengers
arriving from the United States for fever as a safeguard against the potentially
deadly West Nile virus, state television reported Friday.
Passengers arriving on flights originating in the United States or who
transited there will have their temperatures taken with an infrared thermometer,
and those with fevers will be subjected to further health checks, China Central
Television said.
It quoted a notice issued by the State General Administration for Quality
Inspection, Supervision and Quarantine.
Passengers with possible symptoms of the virus, including fevers, head and
body aches and skin rashes, must report themselves to airport health officials
on arrival, CCTV said. Aircraft arriving from the United States will be closely
inspected for mosquitos that could transmit the virus.
Almost 1,500 cases of West Nile have been diagnosed this year in the United
States, resulting in at least 24 deaths. Incidents of infection usually die out
as colder weather approaches.
China instituted country-wide temperature checks at airports, schools,
offices and elsewhere during the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome
this spring that killed at least 349 people and sickened more than
5,300.
|
