The Bihar government has alerted government-run hospitals and health officials all across the state about the threat of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which has struck East Asia, but is creating havoc all over the world.

A top health official said the government has directed the all the six medical colleges and hospitals to take special note of the SARS threat and advised them to take precautionary measures to deals with suspected cases of SARS.

They have been told earmark a special ward for suspected SARS patients. SARS is believed to be a deadly form of pneumonia.

"Bihar receives a large number of tourists from South East Asian nations," a top health official pointed out.

These tourists are mostly headed for Bodh Gaya, the place where Gautam Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment, which is about 10km from the town.

Apart from Bodh Gaya, tourists use Gaya as a base to visit other Buddhist sites like Rajgir and Nalanda.

Officials at Gaya airport were reluctant to talk on the issue, but admitted they were not screening passengers.

According to Gaya district officials, a large number of visitors have entered the town without any health check ups since the SARS outbreak.

Besides the Gaya airport, foreigners also enter Bihar through the Nepal border and other routes.

Thanks to the SARS scare, hoteliers and travel agencies are now a bit wary of tourists from East Asia.

The Bihar government pleads helplessness saying the airport is under the control of the Union government.

Sanjay Jain, director of the Gaya International Airport, said the Union health department has deputed a doctor to assist in case of any case of SARS does emerge.

Hence, if any passenger complains about cough, fever or any other symptoms associated with pneumonia and SARS, he/she would be examined by the doctor, Jain said.

As of now, there is no report of anyone showing symptoms of SARS in Bihar.