MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

SARS prevention with fishermen.

Chinese crewmen that will be arriving next week to Montevideo will be immediately transported in isolation conditions to their fishing vessels in the port and are banned from circulating in the city. The same precautions apply to Chinese fishermen arriving by sea.

The drastic decision by Uruguayan Public Heath authorities was adopted to prevent any contagion of Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome, SARS, in Uruguay since the original outbreak occurred in China and so far the disease has not been controlled.

Health Services Officer Dr. Diego Estol said that the Chinese fishing vessel that traditionally operate in the South Atlantic and in the Falklands area change crews in Montevideo, "so we don't want to prevent business but we're not running any risks".

Dr. Estol added that a special form must be filled by all incoming passengers to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo, clearing specifying if they have visited SARS identified or suspicious areas.

Besides Frontier Health officials belonging to the Uruguayan Public Health Ministry are entitled to quarantine any traveler who presents SARS symptoms.

"We have 29 people who we are monitoring daily in their homes for symptoms since they spent time in SARS areas such as the Far East and Canada", said Dr. Estol, emphasizing "this does not mean they are infected; after a week we cease all checks".

Dr. Estol also revealed that two private hospitals with special isolated blocks have been contracted for taking suspected SARS patients.

Masks, goggles, gloves and special tunics have been distributed among doctors and sanitary staff working for the Uruguayan Frontier Health Department.

So far in South America two SARS non cases have been reported in Brazil and Chile.