A World Health Organization (WHO) expert says visitors to Shanghai should have no fear of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).
Hilary P. Pereira expressed her approval on Wednesday of the city's SARS-control measures after a three-day inspection of a port, a railway station and two international airports.
"One of the big messages from here is I think foreign passengers should have confidence in the procedures taking place here. They should have no fears of traveling," said Pereira, a public health policy expert from Britain and an interim adviser tothe WHO.
Pereira and Lin Yan, another WHO expert, visited China's biggest business hub to learn about SARS prevention measures and assess any potential danger to tourists.
She said she was very impressed with some measures that Shanghai had taken.
Pudong International Airport had used a barrier to enclose the infrared temperature-taking area to create an "S" loop, causing passengers to slow down sub-consciously so they did not crowd together and affect other people's readings.
"I've found many examples of good practice here in Shanghai," Pereira said, adding that other nations and regions could learn from Shanghai's experience.
She said the reason Shanghai was doing so well was because, "you had very good practices and efficient procedures, even before SARS."
Ports, airports and railway stations could confront the SARS threat by using team cooperation, as Shanghai had done.
"Seeing is believing," she said, "I believe the SARS figures in Shanghai are true."
Pereira said she regretted the fact that there were still misleading rumors circulating about Shanghai's and China's epidemic situation, and that the international community did not understand the true situation here.
The number of foreigners visiting Shanghai has dropped by 60 percent compared with the period before SARS.
"I've been very sad to stay at a beautiful hotel, and to see most rooms were empty," she said.
(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2003)
