The health ministry today issued a travel alert, advising travellers to avoid areas affected by a deadly strain of pneumonia that is believed to have killed at least nine people across Asia and Canada.

"Unless absolutely necessary, travel to the affected areas should be avoided for the time being," Health Minister Chua Jui Meng told a press conference.

The World Health Organisation has issued a global warning o­n the illness, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ).

More than 150 cases of SARS have been reported in the past week in Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Many of those affected are healthcare workers.

No local cases

The flu-like symptoms appear to be similar to those of a sickness in southern China's Guangdong province in mid-February that infected 305 people, killing five of them.

While neighbouring Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand have all detected cases of the disease, Chua said no cases had been reported in Malaysia.

He warned, however, that the pneumonia could be spread by inbound travellers, who would be issued with health advisory cards at points of entry.

Airlines, hospitals, clinics and laboratories have been advised o­n the symptoms of the disease, measures needed to protect medical staff and to report suspected cases to the ministry.