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Canadian Health Minister Anne McLellan on Wednesday urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to lift its travel advisory on the country's largest city of Toronto.
Toronto is Canada's hardest hit area by the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Speaking to reporters, McLellan said "We do not believe that the advisory issued by the WHO in relation to Toronto is appropriate based on our understanding of the circumstances on the ground."
"We are going to work very strenuously with the WHO to see if we can get this travel advisory issue clarified in the coming hours," the health minister said.
The minister also said that although the WHO informed the federal government of the Toronto travel advisory on Tuesday, she only became aware of it on Wednesday morning.
Also on Wednesday, Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman told reporters "I am shocked that the medical evidence before us does not support this advisory and I am told (the WHO) has never issued an advisory like this before in their history."
"I can't believe (the WHO) issued a press release saying they're not coming back for three weeks. I want them here tomorrow. I want them to investigate Toronto tomorrow," the mayor said.
Canadian health officials have announced the 16th death from SARS and 326 suspected cases in the country.
(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2003)
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