The business sector in the Philippines has raised the alarm over the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic saying it might trigger an export embargo for the country's local products, particularly tuna.
Manuel Yaphockun, vice-president of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, revealed that several sectors in the international market have already hinted moves to restrict shipments of products from countries where the deadly disease is prevalent.
He noted that they have received reports that several meat importers have already declared to ban hog meat shipments from areas where SARS cases have been monitored. "There is that possibility that importers will also shun our tuna if this SARS scare will continue. They must be stopped immediately," Yaphockun said.
The city contributes the bulk of the country's tuna exports. It is also currently the country's premier producer of high-value tuna and is home to at least seven canneries. Owing to this, Yaphockun urged government health workers to step up information campaign on SARS.
â€There are no SARS cases in the city yet," city heath officer Fidel Peñamante told reporters. He said the rumored SARS case involving a son of a prominent businessman in Mindanao was actually a case of a simple typhoid fever. Peñamante said they have actually quarantined at least five persons who have recently traveled to Canada, Hong Kong and China. They all turned out negative of SARS infection.