New York, Dec 18: The UN health agency has issued
an alert against Sars virus and urged countries to follow
correct biosafety norms to prevent its spread after a
Taiwanese scientist was tested positive.
Though details of the case are still under
investigation, local health experts reported to agency that
the researcher was probably exposed to the virus in the
laboratory on December 05.
The scientist then travelled to Singapore to attend
a conference from December 07 to 10, returning on December 10.
He began to feel unwell later that day and placed himself in
home quarantine.
For the moment, the positive test of a 44-year-old
laboratory worker for the Sars coronavirus appears to be an
isolated incident, the World Health Organization (WHO)
said.
But it illustrates that Sars presents a continuing
threat and in the post-epidemic period the greatest risk
from Sars may be through exposure in laboratories.
"For this reason, who urges the countries to
conduct an inventory of the laboratories and sample they
hold and to ensure that the correct bioisafety procedures
are being adopted," it said.
The health agency said it had discussed with local
health specialists in the capital Taipei the investigation
and the response to the case.
Bureau Report
