Government issues travel warning for Irish people as the number of SARS virus cases increases.
The government has warned against Irish people travelling to regions hit by an outbreak of the flu-like SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus.
The mystery virus has travelled the globe in a matter of weeks aided mainly by air travel.
In Canada, a seventh person has died from the SARS epidemic with the Canadian total of suspect cases rising to 178. An emergency has been declared in the city of Toronto. A total of 82 people have died from the disease worldwide with around 2,000 suspected cases.
A group of people in Hong Kong have been taken into isolation following an outbreak of SARS at their apartment block. A total of 17 people have died from the virus in Hong Kong.
Japanese authorities have said that anyone diagnosed with SARS would be forcibly hospitalised.
While Australia has to date just one confirmed case, three Canadian children have been isolated in an Australian hospital suspected of having the virus. Meanwhile, the death toll in Singapore has risen to five.
There has been criticism of the Chinese government over lack of action to help prevent the spread of the virus. They have been accused of delaying the arrival of World Health Organisation (WHO) officials. The officials are now in China trying to establish the source of the virus.
In Ireland, the Department of Health has issued travel warnings against people going to China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Hanoi and Toronto.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 4 April 2003. The reporter is Ray Kennedy.
