The Organising Committee for 1st European Endoscopic Surgery Week recognise that delegates may have some concerns over the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Sydrome (SARS) in the Far East.This concern has been acknowledged and the Committee support the following statement issued by www.VisitBritain.org and supported by the British Government.

"There is no reason for people to cancel travel plans to this country because of the SARS Virus. The risk of acquiring SARS in this country at the present time is very low.

Under WHO advice international travellers should be screened to detect SARS symptoms when leaving affected areas. The Government will continue to keep under review appropriate measures to manage SARS here in the UK.

People arriving from SARS affected countries are not being refused entry to the UK, neither are they being placed in quarantine. But any travellers experiencing SARS symptoms should seek medical attention immediately and postpone their travel until they feel better.

The WHO has issued detailed recommendations to airlines on steps to take should a suspected case of SARS be detected in flight."