Russia's Chief Health Officer Recommends to Put Off International Events Due to SARS Outbreak

Gossanepidnadzor, Russia's sanitary epidemiological service, has recommended to postpone international business and cultural events that may involve residents of the countries where cases of the mystery pneumonia referred to as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome /SARS/ have been registered. The recommendation is contained in a letter of Gennady Onishchenko, Russia's chief health officer, to Gossanepidnadzor agencies.

The measure aims to prevent the SARS spread in Russia.

Besides, the letter urges to disallow the return of air passengers in transit via Russia in case they are not received by a destination country.