Sars case confirmed in China

Sars – Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – has returned, with confirmation that a Chinese man has contracted the flu-like disease. Following three separate tests on the man, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Chinese Ministry of Health both confirmed the case; the first since last year’s outbreak, which killed more than 750 people and caused havoc for travellers. According to a report in the Independent, stringent checks have already been introduced in parts of Asia; in the Philippines, Taiwan and Malaysia there have been suspected cases of the disease, with at least one person being quarantined. The WHO has reportedly stated that the case does NOT represent a public health risk, that no “alert” would be issued, and that it is “perfectly safe” for travellers to visit Guangdong province, where the case was discovered. For the full WHO report visit http://www.who.int/csr/don/2004_01_05/en/