The Korean National Institute of Health (NIH) said Sunday it has asked the Education Ministry to suspend or cut down on exchanges of students to SARS-affected areas such as China, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Singapore and Toronto.

The NIH said it made the request to reduce the possibility of a SARS outbreak in the country as the disease continues to spread worldwide.

Following Canada's lead, the health authority also decided to consider a ban on blood donations from tourists who visit those areas.

Meanwhile, health officials at Incheon and Gimhae International airports have begun taking the temperatures of passengers from Beijing and Guangdong Province upon arrival.