SARS disaster feared in rural China

ABC Radio Australia News ^ | April 22, 2003

[Dog Gone]

China has banned tourists from visiting country and remote areas in an effort to prevent the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

The Xinhua newsagency says the ban has been imposed by China's national tourism administration.

Officials fear a disaster, if there is an uncontrolled outbreak of SARS in rural, impoverished areas where good medical facilities are lacking.

Already, SARS cases have been reported in 19 of China's 31 provinces and municipalities.

A national tourism and trade fair scheduled for early June in eastern Zhejiang province has now been postponed until next year.

China has reported 97 deaths from the flu-like virus and 2,158 infections. The global death toll stands at 236.

[archy]

http://www.forbes.com/2003/04/11/cx_mh_0411sars.html

59 posted on 04/22/2003 7:57 PM MDT by Betty Jo

Noted. Bookmarked, and thanks.

-archy-/-

[scott7278]

"and subpar sanitation facilities in much of China..."

You mean like this:

And yes, that is a toilet in the floor. And a hose to go with the toilet in the floor. No more commentary needed.