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Airlines to Screen Travelers for SARS

Illness spreading more quickly than thought, officials say

Thursday, March 27, 2003
NBC, MSNBC & News Services
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report

“The evidence in favor of this illness being caused by a previously unrecognized virus in a group of viruses called coronaviruses continues to mount,” Dr. Jim Hughes, head of the CDC’s infectious disease branch, said. “I am not ready to say it is definitive evidence yet.”

According to U.S. and United Nations health officials, the mysterious respiratory illness plaguing southeast Asia has begun spreading around the world at an alarming rate, NBC News’ Robert Bazell reported Thursday. As more cases were announced, The World Health Organization called on airlines to begin screening passengers for the deadly flu-like disease. Meanwhile, Hong Kong said it would quarantine more than 1,000 people and the Canadian province of Ontario declared a health emergency.

Testifying before Congress Thursday about the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said, “It’s spreading a little bit faster than we anticipated.”

He said SARS is believed to have infected 1,500 people; the WHO is reporting over 1,300 cases. The number of deaths Thursday rose to 54, based on information from government officials.

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* ‘WE MUST WIN THIS BATTLE’
* CHINA REVEALS LARGER OUTBREAK
* SARS CAUSE IDENTIFIED
(More: MSNBC.com)
2003 © MSNBC.com

Dan