As of Wednesday, the Tibet Autonomous Region has remained free from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), thanks to the adoption of effective measures to stop the entry of the disease, said a senior official after his inspection tour of the region.
Zhao Bingli, vice-minister of the State Family Planning Commission, appraised local efforts in the anti-SARS fight after visiting transportation departments, epidemic prevention centers, clinic units and residential areas in Tibet.
Zhao, leading a State Council monitoring team, on Wednesday concluded a week-long inspection tour of Tibet to assess and supervise the local work against the epidemic.
Zhao warned that the advent of warmer weather could make Tibet more susceptible to SARS virus because of its underdeveloped medical treatment facilities and other related factors.
To date, Gongga Airport in Lhasa has installed infrared body temperature scanners in a bid to prevent any possible SARS patients from entering Tibet.
(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2003)
