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)