Menu
23/05/2003
WHO lifts China and Hong Kong travel warning
The World Health Organization (WHO) has lifted its warning over travel to Hong Kong and Guangdong province in China.
The WHO has now changed its advice as the situation in these areas has now "improved significantly".
Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General of the WHO, said: “Guangdong was the first place in the world to have cases of SARS but I am pleased to note that due to the efforts of the local and national health authorities, with support from WHO and partners, the outbreaks in Guangdong and in Hong Kong are being contained."
The recommendation to consider postponing all but essential travel to Hong Kong and Guangdong was originally issued on April 2 in order "to minimise the international spread" of SARS.
In both Guangdong and Hong Kong, the three-day average number of new cases has remained below five over the last six days and the pattern of the outbreak shows a sustained decline since the peak of new cases in late March. The total number of people who are still infectious (all of whom are in hospital) has also fallen below 60.
The WHO's advice for travellers to postpone all but essential travel to China, including Beijing, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Taiwan and Tianjin remains in place.
Elsewhere, the precise origin of the SARS virus has been linked to two very different carriers - cats and space.
One group of Hong Kong scientists claims that the SARS virus cross-mutated from the domestic cat to the humans via the delicate palette of Chinese cuisine – cat is a delicacy in southern China.
A second theory aired today suggests that SARS is in fact an extra-terrestrial virus which has percolated through the stratosphere 26 miles above sea level. According to one expert in the field, about one tonne of a myriad of bacteria streams to earth each day - some of which could contain a virus alien to medicine such as SARS.
(GmcG)
The WHO has now changed its advice as the situation in these areas has now "improved significantly".
Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General of the WHO, said: “Guangdong was the first place in the world to have cases of SARS but I am pleased to note that due to the efforts of the local and national health authorities, with support from WHO and partners, the outbreaks in Guangdong and in Hong Kong are being contained."
The recommendation to consider postponing all but essential travel to Hong Kong and Guangdong was originally issued on April 2 in order "to minimise the international spread" of SARS.
In both Guangdong and Hong Kong, the three-day average number of new cases has remained below five over the last six days and the pattern of the outbreak shows a sustained decline since the peak of new cases in late March. The total number of people who are still infectious (all of whom are in hospital) has also fallen below 60.
The WHO's advice for travellers to postpone all but essential travel to China, including Beijing, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Taiwan and Tianjin remains in place.
Elsewhere, the precise origin of the SARS virus has been linked to two very different carriers - cats and space.
One group of Hong Kong scientists claims that the SARS virus cross-mutated from the domestic cat to the humans via the delicate palette of Chinese cuisine – cat is a delicacy in southern China.
A second theory aired today suggests that SARS is in fact an extra-terrestrial virus which has percolated through the stratosphere 26 miles above sea level. According to one expert in the field, about one tonne of a myriad of bacteria streams to earth each day - some of which could contain a virus alien to medicine such as SARS.
(GmcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 April 2003
SARS warning issued to British travellers
British travellers have been warned to defer from travelling to countries in south east Asia at the centre of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak.
SARS warning issued to British travellers
British travellers have been warned to defer from travelling to countries in south east Asia at the centre of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak.
23 June 2003
Hong Kong removed from Sars list
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has today removed Hong Kong from its list of Sars-affected areas. The agency has reported that 20 days, which is twice the maximum incubation period, have passed since the last case was isolated on 2 June.
Hong Kong removed from Sars list
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has today removed Hong Kong from its list of Sars-affected areas. The agency has reported that 20 days, which is twice the maximum incubation period, have passed since the last case was isolated on 2 June.
18 April 2003
Boarding schools adopt SARS quarantine measures
Boarding schools across the UK are warning parents to keep their children at home if they have visited any SARS affected areas over the holiday period. The nation's most prestigious boarding school, Eton College in Surrey, has contacted parents to say that some pupils should not return for the summer term before serving a 10-day quarantine period.
Boarding schools adopt SARS quarantine measures
Boarding schools across the UK are warning parents to keep their children at home if they have visited any SARS affected areas over the holiday period. The nation's most prestigious boarding school, Eton College in Surrey, has contacted parents to say that some pupils should not return for the summer term before serving a 10-day quarantine period.
30 April 2003
WHO lift Canadian travel warning
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that travel advice warning people to avoid Toronto due to SARS have been lifted today.
WHO lift Canadian travel warning
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that travel advice warning people to avoid Toronto due to SARS have been lifted today.
03 November 2014
British Banker Remanded In Custody Over Hong Kong Murders
A British banker has appeared in court today after he was accused of killing two prostitutes in his flat in Hong Kong. 29-year-old Rurik Jutting confirmed he understood the murder charges against him at a short hearing at Eastern Magistrates' Court this morning. Jutting has been remanded in custody and is due to appear in court on 10th November.
British Banker Remanded In Custody Over Hong Kong Murders
A British banker has appeared in court today after he was accused of killing two prostitutes in his flat in Hong Kong. 29-year-old Rurik Jutting confirmed he understood the murder charges against him at a short hearing at Eastern Magistrates' Court this morning. Jutting has been remanded in custody and is due to appear in court on 10th November.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
