Latest Info on SARS Virus - 31 March 2003

bbchris

31 March 2003

International concern over the atypical pneumonia outbreak grew yesterday, as Hong Kong recorded its highest daily leap in the number of cases, with 60 more patients being admitted to hospital and another person dying.

The United States Centres for Disease Control (CDC) warned that the outbreak could get worse and the situation in Hong Kong was "particularly alarming". It also called on China to provide more information about the mainland outbreak.

Yesterday's new cases brought the number of patients suffering from severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) in Hong Kong to 530 and the death toll to 13 since March 12. Last night, 52 patients were receiving treatment in intensive care units.

According to the World Health Organisation, at least 1,600 people worldwide have now been infected by the new virus, with a death toll of at least 58.

There have been at least 34 deaths in mainland China, 13 in Hong Kong, four in Vietnam, and three in Canada, three in Singapore and one in Thailand.

The CDC warned that a more serious outbreak could be looming.

"In Hong Kong, the situation is particularly alarming because we have several hospitals that are affected, and there are so many health-care workers in each of these hospitals who could have been exposed or who are developing Sars, that there's already a multiplier in the community.

RonOnGuitar · Joined: 08 Jan 2003 Posts: 1916

Just adding a link to the HK Dept. of Health that I ran into while reading the news:

Atypical Pneumonia

www.info.gov.hk/dh/ap.htm