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Check your own temperature daily, campaign urges

The 10-day spontaneous temperature-taking campaign kicked off nationwide yesterday.

Likening the temperature-taking campaign to a house-cleaning project, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) called on the public to participate in the drive and check their temperature at least twice a day.

"SARS is not a formidable disease and the virus can be easily eliminated if we wash our hands and have our temperature taken frequently," he said.

Chen made the remarks yesterday when traveling to Nantou County in central Taiwan to promote the regional specialty, Oolong tea, and the county's tourism industry.

Premier Yu Shyi-kun yesterday also traveled to Panchiao in Taipei County to launch the campaign with Academia Sinica President Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲), who initiated the drive.

"I believe we'll eventually win this war if we fully implement this program," Yu said.

Since a high temperature is one of the important indicators of the SARS infection, the government hopes to stamp out the outbreak and boost early detection through the temperature-checking campaign.

Those who do not have a thermometer of their own are encouraged to have their temperatures taken at their village chiefs' and borough wardens' offices.

The government had distributed over 18,000 ear thermometers to the nation's 9,000 village chiefs and borough wardens.

The public can also have their temperature taken at some 6,000 designated community pharmacies.

If people find their forehead or armpit temperature higher than 37.5℃, or their ear or anal temperature higher than 38℃, they should seek medical help immediately.

The public can also call 177 -- a hot line provided by medical associations to give professional advice about all types of fever and high temperatures.
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