No new Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) cases have been reported for over 10 days in Vietnam, said an official from the World Health Organization (WHO).

If there are no more new cases in the next few days, Vietnam could be the first to benefit from easing of travel restrictions set up by WHO, said WHO in a media release on Friday.

Vietnam and few other countries showed that if cases can be detected and isolated early enough, an outbreak can be brought under control, said WHO .

According to official statistics, there has been no change in the SARS situation in Vietnam. The cumulative number of SARS casesin Vietnam remains at 68, including 5 deaths. 62 patients have been discharged and one remained in hospital.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2003)