Bermuda's chief medical officer last night issued a warning to residents and advised that non-essential travel to key countries affected by they mystery illness SARS should be reconsidered.

Dr. John Cann said the Island was continuing to monitor the situation with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and said the Department of Heath was working with both Customs and Immigration to prevent the spread of the killer disease.

As of yesterday, a total of 2,223 cases had been reported, and 78 deaths had occurred, in 18 countries world wide.

The affected areas are Asia, particularly Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.

It is thought the disease originates out of Asia.

And while he said there was still no test available for doctors anywhere to check for the illness, he said Bermuda had taken steps to try to limit exposure to the Island.

A Government statement released yesterday said: "Dr. Cann noted that there are no recommendations to restrict travel to any particular destination. WHO has issued guidelines for travellers and the airlines.

"Dr. Cann, however, said that all local travellers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of SARS and he recommended that Bermuda residents reconsider all non-essential travel to affected areas with documented community transmission."

Dr. Cann said Bermuda had to be prepared for the possible importation of SARS cases, given the high level of international travel to and from the Island.

He said the Bermuda Hospitals Board had reviewed its operating procedures in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and had worked with other affected agencies on the Island.

Government said, to date, the Bermuda Department of Health had:

Issued a health alert through the media;

distributed guidelines from the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre and CDC to practising physicians;

provided guidance and health education for Customs staff at Bermuda International Airport who are re-screening incoming passengers from affected areas.

Dr. Cann said Customs and Immigration officers were screening arriving passengers, issuing health alert cards to arriving passengers from affected areas, and assessing travellers from affected areas.

A number of Bermudians are living and working in areas affected by SARS, and one of them is teenager Christine Mayor, who is studying in Hong Kong.

She wrote to The Royal Gazette yesterday and said, while all other secondary schools have been closed due to SARS during the last week, hers had remained functioning because it was a residential school.

She said: "We have not had limitations placed on us about where we can go, however, it has been strongly advised that we reduce how often we leave the campus and where we go, especially avoiding crowded areas.

"Most people end up sending one person to get a load of things from the shopping centre, while others have taken to ordering online or ordering food by phone.

"When you do leave campus, it is almost as though you have entered an alternate world. The vast majority wears masks, and it is rather intimidating to walk onto a bus full of masked, faceless people."

"The over-reaction and spreading paranoia has suspended the vibrancy of this city."

The disease is primarily limited to people who have had direct close contact with an infected person, or if someone coughs or sneezes into air that is breathed in by someone else.

The symptoms include sudden onset of fever greater than 38C or 100.4F, and one or more of the following respiratory symptoms: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.