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Moz on Sars alert
05/04/2003 17:59 - (SA)
Maputo - Mozambique authorities have put the country on alert over the deadly Sars virus following reports that a citizen has been hospitalised with the disease in neighbouring South Africa.
"We have instructed all the country's main airports to be watchful and immediately send anyone with a manisfestation of the disease to hospital," the deputy director of health, Avertino Barreto said late on Friday.
According to reports widely circulated here, the Mozambican admitted to hospital in South Africa this week caught Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) while on a visit to Hong Kong.
The news has raised fears of an outbreak in Mozambique at a time when influenza and common colds are widespread due to the seasonal change in temperature.
Mozambique's health authorities are already struggling to control outbreaks of malaria and cholera that have resulted from heavy rainfall and poor sanitation.
The deadly strain of pneumonia reported in 30 countries so far is thought to have started in Hong Kong and southern China.
The SARS virus has so far killed more than 80 people and affected around 2 500 others worldwide. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA
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