The World Health Organization (WHO) will help the Macao Special Administrative (SAR) government in introducing a fast testing method of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus, said a health official Saturday.

Kun Sai Hoi, director of the Center of Disease Prevention and Control under the Health Service of the SAR government, confirmed that the WHO will select one or two testing methods for Macao, which can verify the existence of coronavirus in blood samples within a few hours.

He said that so far, fast testing methods of the virus have been used in the mainland, Hong Kong, which is effective in preventing the spread of the disease.

Preventive measures against SARS at the three main checkpoints of Macao were stepped up for the four-day Easter Holiday. Over 10,000 people had their temperature taken upon arrival in Macao on Friday.

Kun said that the government is considering to prolong the measure of temperature check at the entry ports after the holiday ends on Monday, which would help detect clues to SARS.

A visitor from south China's Zhuhai City with body temperature over 38 degree Celsius was advised to go to the Government Hospital for further checkup and X-ray, but the visitor preferred to return to Zhuhai and seek medical advise.

No SARS case or suspected case had been found in Macao as of Saturday.

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2003)