Taiwan travel warning extended as Sars spreads

The World Health Organisation extended its Sars travel warning for all of Taiwan yesterday as the island tried to stop the deadly flu-like virus spreading through its health system.

Hours after giving the Philippines the all-clear, the UN health body urged travellers to postpone all but essential travel to Taiwan, which reported dozens more cases of the disease that has killed hundreds and infected thousands worldwide.

The virus has spread rapidly through the island's hospitals and the government sent experts to try to contain a growing outbreak in the south.

A ninth hospital in Taiwan reported suspected Sars cases yesterday, while authorities slapped hefty fines on two hospitals for covering up the spread of the disease.

Health officials reported 35 more cases yesterday, bringing the total on the island to 418.

In neighbouring China and Hong Kong, which have the majority of the world's cases, the picture was brighter.

China reported 12 new infections and Hong Kong just one, extending a steady decline in cases of the disease, which surfaced in southern China in November. Singapore said one more person had died of Sars, bringing its death toll to 29.

The World Health Organisation said it had removed the Philippines from a list of Sars-affected countries and Australia lifted a warning against travel to Singapore.

The UN health agency said it was removing the Philippines from its list because it had no new cases for 20 days, or two virus incubation periods.

"This means that travellers to the Philippines and residents are at no more risk than those in countries that have had no Sars cases," WHO representative Jean-Marc Olive said in a statement.

Twenty days without a new infection is a criterion the WHO uses to declare Sars under control. Canada and Vietnam have been removed from its Sars-affected list after reporting no new cases for 20 days.