DEATH TOLL RISES AS SARS MUTATES
Stephen White | 15.04.2003 11:24
Six of those who have died in Hong Kong in the last few days were young and fit suggesting the virus which causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome may have become more powerful. The World Health Organisation warned: "If SARS maintains its present pathogenicity and transmissibility, it could become the first severe new disease of the 21st century with global epidemic potential.''
DEATH TOLL RISES AS SARS MUTATES
By Stephen White
Daily Mirror
April 15, 2003
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/page.cfm?objectid=12848652&method=full&siteid=50143&headline=DEATH%20TOLL%20RISES%20AS%20SARS%20MUTATES
Seven more people have died from SARS in one day as doctors fear the virus has mutated making it more deadly.
The latest death toll in Hong Kong is the highest number of victims in 24 hours.
A possible seventh British victim was in hospital in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, last night. The man, in his 20s, has just returned from China.
Six of those who have died in Hong Kong in the last few days were young and fit suggesting the virus which causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome may have become more powerful.
Biochemist Stephen Tsui, of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said: "We want to find out whether it's because the virus is different that causes such differences. If we can figure that out, we can then predict which patient will be afflicted more severely."
Medics had previously believed that most patients with no other health problems had responded well to anti-viral drugs and steroids.
The World Health Organisation warned: "If SARS maintains its present pathogenicity and transmissibility, it could become the first severe new disease of the 21st century with global epidemic potential.'' Worldwide over 3,300 people have been infected and 144 have died.
A man thought to be the sixth British victim is making a steady recovery in Northwick Park, West London. He fell ill after meeting a Hong Kong businessman at a Heathrow hotel.
The SARS virus, which has flu-like symptoms, has been spread worldwide by travellers.
It originated in southern China late last year. Sixty four people have died there - the world's highest death toll. It is virulent in nearby Hong Kong with 47 deaths, followed by Canada with 13 and Singapore with 12.
Singapore has quarantined 600 people in their homes and installed CCTV to check on them. They are electronically tagged so they can't go out. Paramedics have been checking passengers temperatures as they arrive at the airport.
In China, TV adverts warn people to limit dinner parties to six people for fear of infection.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/page.cfm?objectid=12848652&method=full&siteid=50143&headline=DEATH%20TOLL%20RISES%20AS%20SARS%20MUTATES
By Stephen White
Daily Mirror
April 15, 2003
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/page.cfm?objectid=12848652&method=full&siteid=50143&headline=DEATH%20TOLL%20RISES%20AS%20SARS%20MUTATES Seven more people have died from SARS in one day as doctors fear the virus has mutated making it more deadly.
The latest death toll in Hong Kong is the highest number of victims in 24 hours.
A possible seventh British victim was in hospital in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, last night. The man, in his 20s, has just returned from China.
Six of those who have died in Hong Kong in the last few days were young and fit suggesting the virus which causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome may have become more powerful.
Biochemist Stephen Tsui, of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said: "We want to find out whether it's because the virus is different that causes such differences. If we can figure that out, we can then predict which patient will be afflicted more severely."
Medics had previously believed that most patients with no other health problems had responded well to anti-viral drugs and steroids.
The World Health Organisation warned: "If SARS maintains its present pathogenicity and transmissibility, it could become the first severe new disease of the 21st century with global epidemic potential.'' Worldwide over 3,300 people have been infected and 144 have died.
A man thought to be the sixth British victim is making a steady recovery in Northwick Park, West London. He fell ill after meeting a Hong Kong businessman at a Heathrow hotel.
The SARS virus, which has flu-like symptoms, has been spread worldwide by travellers.
It originated in southern China late last year. Sixty four people have died there - the world's highest death toll. It is virulent in nearby Hong Kong with 47 deaths, followed by Canada with 13 and Singapore with 12.
Singapore has quarantined 600 people in their homes and installed CCTV to check on them. They are electronically tagged so they can't go out. Paramedics have been checking passengers temperatures as they arrive at the airport.
In China, TV adverts warn people to limit dinner parties to six people for fear of infection.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/page.cfm?objectid=12848652&method=full&siteid=50143&headline=DEATH%20TOLL%20RISES%20AS%20SARS%20MUTATES
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