Screening international travellers in China for SARS

Faced with the spread of SARS through international travel, the World Health Organisation (WHO) advised against inessential travel to certain areas with local SARS transmission, and also the screening of travellers from such areas. This report looks at the steps taken in China for the screening of travellers. Travellers were asked about contact with SARS and possible symptoms, were screened for high fever, provided with health information and observed for any clinical signs. Arrangements were in place for dealing with ill travellers and for contact tracing of fellow travellers. There were also extra measures that could only be justified by the reassurance they provided. The overall impact of these measures in preventing international spread of SARS is unknown, but the experience could contribute to the control of future epidemics.