Anti-SARS measures in place

Ethiopia has become the latest country to draw up emergency plans to combat the deadly pneumonia-like illness, SARS, which has claimed some 159 lives across the globe. The health ministry says Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) poses a threat to the country with its air links to Asia and the Far East. Although the government says there have been no cases so far, it is not taking any risks and has set up a quarantine service. The ministry says it will now start screening passengers from Far East and Asian countries in a bid to prevent the virus entering Ethiopia. Both Bole International Airport in the capital Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa airport are to be targeted by officials and monitoring centres set up. A national committee has been set up to combat the virus and officials have been working with the World Health Organisation and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Symptoms of SARS - which originated in China - include very high fever, breathing difficulties and dry cough. More than 3,000 people have fallen victim to the virus which can travel by coughs and sneezes.