Thermal imaging systems will soon be introduced at the country's borders and airports to screen all travellers for Sars symptoms, a senior health official said.

"We will soon install the thermal imaging systems," the health ministry's deputy director-general Ismail Merican told a news conference yesterday.

Any tourists detected with a raised temperature or other Sars-related symptoms would be immediately sent to a hospital, he said.

Ismail said five foreigners have been warded in public hospitals nationwide for having Sars-related symptoms.

They included a four-year-old boy from Singapore, a Turkish student, a tourist from mainland China, a French and an American visitor, he said.

Ready in two weeks

On Wednesday, transport minister Dr Ling Liong Sik said the government would install the equipment in two weeks time.

Ling said each machine cost RM150,000 ringgit.

The transport minister said the installation of the equipment was in accordance with measures agreed at the emergency Asean-China Sars summit in neighbouring Thailand o­n Tuesday.

Malaysia has so far avoided a widespread outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars), recording six probable Sars cases including two deaths. AFP