The National Institute of Health announced that it would tighten medical inspections on all travelers from Guangdongsheng, China, because of the recent report of a positive reaction for SARS from that region on Jan. 3. An average of 306 travelers from Guangdongsheng, China, visit Korea every day and 2~3 regular flights are currently in service. 

Infrared body temperature is taken and publicity activities about the epidemic are currently enforced in 13 quarantine stations on travelers from Guangdongsheng. An emergency meeting was opened by The Office for Government Policy Coordination with bureaus related with SARS quarantine on Jan. 2. A communication system has been established between diplomatic establishments abroad in each country. 

A resident from Guangzhoushi has been treated for fevers and headaches since Dec. 16 and then has been segregated for suspicion of SARS on Dec. 26. Through a joint epidemiology examination by WHO and Ministry of Health P.R. China, results tested positive reactions to SARS. In accordance, the Chinese government are taking body temperatures of railroad passengers and are segregating patients with fevers over 38°C in a SARS specified hospital. Japan is maintaining its usual quarantine system and is enforcing SARS information onto travelers and Hong Kong is also tightening surveillance on feverish patients. 

An official said a follow up investigation to confirm if travelers have stayed in the country for more than 5 days is being enforced after close temperature examinations and medical inspection inquiries on travelers from Guangdongsheng. Cooperation system between WHO and other international organizations and also nearby countries is reinforced and information on SARS is being announced to travelers in Southeast Asian countries.