Date:
May 2003
SARS
Update - May 12, 2003
Following
the reclassification of six cases previously
misdiagnosed, the Philippines now has 10 reported
cases of SARS including two who have died
and one who has recovered. Only one "new"
case was reported last week - along with the
six others who were confirmed as SARS patients
however there are no cases within the community
and all current cases are confined to hospitals.
The WHO Regional Office based in Manila has
issued a statement saying that the Philippines
currently represents a negligible risk to
travelers as long as visitors take the same
precautions here as they would do in their
home country. Certainly, while crowded shopping
centers, restaurants and bars have become
less crowded in recent days and while churches
report a decline in attendance at Sunday services
there is no mass hysteria within the local
community such as has gripped other countries
in the region.
Yet, Taiwan and Singapore have both issued
travel advisories against the Philippines;
joining Kuwait, Lebanon and the United Arab
Emirates that have barred recently the entry
of Philippine Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs).
Taiwan last week introduced more severe measures
when a number of new cases of SARS infection
were discovered, including one at the Taipei
American School. Taiwan now has 149 reported
SARS cases. As a result, Taipei announced
an extension of the ban it had imposed on
visitors from the Philippines as well as from
China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mongolia and
Toronto. This ban will remain in force until
26 May unless again extended.
The travel restrictions affect mainly OFWs
bound for the Island who do not have valid
health clearances. Business visitors and those
with visa free entry privileges seem to be
largely unaffected although Taipei or Kaohsiung
bound passengers would be well advised to
check with their airline in advance of their
travel.
Singapore has also issued an advisory against
unnecessary travel to the Philippines at the
present time.
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