Singapore safe for travel, says health ministry

Singapore has been cleared as a travel destination in the Ministry of Health's latest severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) travel advice.

Singapore had previously been rated as a level three risk -- the lowest level on the ministry's rating scale.

China and Taiwan remained a level one risk and the ministry today advised people to delay travel to those countries.

People whose travel was essential were told to be aware they could carry the illness back to New Zealand and to keep informed about the spread of Sars in the worst affected areas.

Hong Kong and Toronto in Canada were rated level two. While both areas have had recent local transmission of Sars, authorities believed the disease was being well contained.

People planning elective or non-essential travel to Toronto and Hong Kong were asked to consider postponing their travel until further notice.

People who travelled to Sars-affected areas should observe the following precautions:

* be well informed about Sars through the ministry's website www.moh.govt.nz/sars and other websites such as Centres for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/factsheet.htm and WHO www.who.int;

* avoid settings where Sars is most likely to be transmitted, such as health care facilities caring for Sars patients;

* pay careful attention to personal hygiene, especially hand washing;

* monitor health while in the area and for at least 10 days after departure;

All travellers needed to be aware travel was at their own risk and they should understand there are some other areas/countries where there may be people with Sars who have not been diagnosed or have not been reported to the World Health Organisation, the ministry said.

People who had visited level one and level two risk areas should avoid visiting hospitals within 10 days of returning to New Zealand.

They should also postpone elective surgery, outpatient and elective medical visits for 10 days ; postpone non-urgent dental work for 10 days and defer donating blood for 14 days.

A helpline (0800-2233-10) has been set up and recorded advice on Sars was also available (0800-0800-80).

- NZPA