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WHO confirms SARS cases in China
( 2003-03-28 23:52 ) (1 )

Officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Friday that the so-called "atypical pneumonia'' in China was the disease widely known in the world as ``severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).''

A total of 806 SARS cases have been reported in China and 34 people have died from the disease, said WHO officials at a press conference attended by an international group of experts.

The group started their investigation on Monday, discussing the situation with experts from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Between late November and February 28, there had been 792 "atypical pneumonia'' cases in South China's Guangdong Province, said the WHO officials, who are believed to have received the data from the CDC.

All findings have shown that the "atypical pneumonia'' in Guangdong is SARS, said John S. Mackenzie, a microbiology professor of the University of Queensland and the group leader.

The WHO also said that China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region reported 367 cases including 10 deaths as of March 27, and six cases have been reported in Taiwan Province.

By March 26, Beijing and North China's Shanxi Province had respectively found 10 and four SARS cases, including three deaths in Beijing.

However, the group denied that SARS cases have been found in Shanghai.

All figures for the cases in China have been confirmed by the Chinese Ministry of Health, said Henk Bekedam, WHO representative to China.

So far, a total of 1,408 cases had been found in the world's 15 countries and regions and 53 people have died.

The results of the investigation in China are vital for determining the cause of the disease and developing effective treatment, said Bekedam.

He also noted that the Chinese side had agreed to strengthen nationwide supervision of the disease and promised to keep the WHO updated about the epidemic situation.

Meanwhile, the representative said that Chinese health authorities are likely to allow the WHO to carry out further research and site investigation in Guangdong.

MacKenzie said Chinese health authorities realize that the country is part of the global community in fighting against SARS, and suggested China nominate a representative to join the world's health network in the fight against the disease.

The team also recommended that China set up an SARS monitoring system at airports.

The spread of atypical pneumonia in Hong Kong was caused by a new coronavirus transmitted through coughing, sneezing and indirect contact, a Hong Kong University medical team said on Friday.

Professor Yuen Kwok-yung said conoraviruses are a family common in both humans and animals, usually causing sore throats and runny noses in humans, Xinhua reported on Friday.

The professor said the new virus could live outside human bodies for about three hours. People could be at risk if they touch contaminated objects and then rub their eyes or mouths.

But the virus can be killed easily by disinfectant, Yuen said, suggesting members of the public should not touch their eyes, noses or mouths.