China prevents US West Nile virus entry ( 2003-08-31 09:16) (Xinhua)
China has asked tourists from the United States to immediately inform
inspection and quarantine authorities of symptoms of fever, headaches, rashes
and swollen glands on entry to the country.
The State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine
announced the public health measure to prevent the mosquito-borne West Nile
virus from entering China.
By Aug. 11, the United States had recorded 197 cases of human West Nile with
five deaths, according to figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).
Chinese inspection and quarantine authorities are required to carry out
strict quarantine checks, including body temperature, ontourists from the United
States, and to inspect vehicles and containers from infected areas.
No specific medicine or bacterin has been developed against the virus, and
the announcement has reminded tourists going to infected areas to take
preventive measures against mosquito bites.
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