SARS: Vietnam mulls closure of northern land border with China
Vietnam's health authority has proposed that its northern land border with China be
temporarily shut to prevent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) from spreading
into the country.
Vietnam has had 68 SARS infections including five deaths, but the outbreak has
reportedly stabilised in the country.
The move comes after health
authorities reportedly raised
concerns about the
effectiveness of SARS
inspection by border officials.
Under the proposal, all foreign
travellers, including Chinese
nationals, would be temporarily
barred from entering Vietnam
by land from China, where the
SARS virus is believed to have
originated.
The proposal would also require
air and sea travellers from
SARS-infected countries,
including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Canada, to present health
certificates upon entering Vietnam.
Health ministry officials say the proposal has been submitted to the prime minister for
approval.
It was unclear when the new rules would take effect, if given the green light.
Channel NewsAsia - April 19, 2003.
WHO says SARS under control in Vietnam
A World Health Organisation expert says Vietnam has got the deadly atypical pneumonia outbreak under control but it still faces massive import of the disease through its border with China.
WHO representative, Pascale Brudon, says Beijing is a problem.
Mr Brudon says Vietnamese authorities have managed to strengthen surveillance in the border area but they are worried because too many people are coming across.
The government has decided to step up inspection and quarantine procedures on the Vietnam-China border
Up to 5,000 people from China travel to and from Vietnam across the land border each day.
Following the death of a French doctor over the weekend, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has now killed five people and infected 63 in Vietnam.
A total of 47 have left hospital after making a recovery.
ABC Radio Australia - April 15, 2003.
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