The World Health Organisation has said it does not support the banning of Chinese athletes from travelling to Ireland for the World Special Olympic Games next month, writes Eithne Donnellan, Health Correspondent.
Dr Mike Ryan, who is based in the organisation's head office in Geneva, said yesterday there was no reason why the athletes shouldn't travel if proper "risk minimisation" measures were put in place to protect against the spread of SARS.
His comments came in advance of a meeting of the Department of Health's SARS expert group today where arrangements for the Special Olympics will be discussed.
The meeting, to be chaired by the State's chief medical officer Dr Jim Kiely, will also review latest developments in relation to SARS and current advice from the WHO. However, a final recommendation from the group on how athletes travelling from SARS affected regions including China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan should be dealt with is not expected to be made to the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, until late this week or early next week.
The organising committee of the Special Olympic Games has said it will follow whatever advice is given. "I believe there are ways of managing the risk," Dr Ryan said yesterday.
These included quarantining and screening of athletes.
"Our only concern with this is to be helpful on what might represent good risk minimisation strategies.
"We do not support the idea of banning people coming from China to sporting events.
"That should be avoided at all costs but the Irish Government have to take precautions appropriate to protect Irish people in the context of the event itself," he said.
He added that a delegation from China would be among groups from many countries travelling to Geneva at the weekend for a WHO meeting on SARS and there was no question of them being asked to stay away.
"Its about minimising the risk through good public health measures," he said.
There were 10 further deaths from SARS in China yesterday as well as 80 new probable and 84 new suspect cases.
The Chinese athletes travelling to the Special Olympics are due to be hosted by Bray; those from Singapore by Arklow and the group from Taiwan by Portlaoise.
The Hong Kong delegation were due to be hosted by Clonmel but have decided now not to go there, travelling instead directly to the games in Dublin.