Taiwan has been added to an already lengthening list of travel destinations in response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, which could cause further harm to local companies already suffering from economic ills.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has been working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, has been investigating the number of SARS cases reported. To aid travelers, the CDC issues two types of warnings, advisories and alerts.

Currently, advisories, the more intensive of the two warnings, have been issued for Mainland China, Hong Kong,Vietnam ,Toronto and Singapore.

As of yesterday, WHO reported a count of 89 SARS cases in Taiwan, three of which have been fatal. Furthermore, several cases have raised concern since being reported to have no apparent link of transmission.

CDC recommends that unnecessary travel to Taiwan be delayed until the advisory is lifted. Those who do travel may be subject to governmental restrictions, such as a 10 day quarantine if they are coming from an infected country.

These travel concerns have resulted in business responses including the postponement of the Computex Taipei 2003 trade show. Originally scheduled for June 2 through June 6, the show is being set back in hopes of providing a safer environment. The new dates have yet to be decided.

By: DocMemory
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