WHO lifts travel advisory on Beijing
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has lifted its recommendation that people should postpone all but essential travel to Beijing.
The travel advice for the Chinese capital was issued on 23 April in order to minimize the international spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
According to WHO, the situation in the Chinese capital has now “improved significantly” since the travel warning was issued. The last new case in Beijing was isolated on May 29, since which time a number of suspect cases have been considered but ruled out as SARS.
Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, director-general of WHO, remarked: ‘Beijing is the last area to which WHO recommended that people should postpone all but essential travel. This is very good news and shows the great progress the world has made against SARS.’
Dr Bruntland’s comments come after the WHO yesterday declared Hong Kong SARS-free after 20 days without a new case in the territory.
Hong Kong has seen 296 people die from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and a further 1,755 infected, but has not seen a confirmed case for three weeks.
However, experts have warned that the disease could resurface again next winter and have advised residents to be vigilant.
The disease has infected some 8,400 people and killed more than 800 worldwide since the epidemic started in China in February.
