Philippines no longer a risk

The Ministry of Health has dropped the Philippines from its list of high-risk Sars areas after the country reported no new locally transmitted cases for more than 20 days.

Taiwan, China and Hong Kong remain high-risk and should be avoided.

Travellers should monitor the ministry's website (www.moh.govt.nz/sars) for updates.

The World Health Organisation has received reports of 8046 cases of Sars and 682 deaths.

- NZPA