China Reports Nine Possible Cases of SARS

Nine cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), either clinically confirmed or under investigation, have been reported by the Chinese Ministry of Health. More than 300 people who had contact with the patients have been identified and placed under observation.

A diagnosis of clinically confirmed SARS coronavirus infection had been confirmed in two of the patients. In line with its definitions of SARS coronavirus infection, the World Health Organization (Geneva, Switzerland) has classified these two as probable cases of SARS. The Chinese Ministry of Health has now reported diagnostic confirmation of SARS in two other patients. The other cases remain under investigation, while additional laboratory tests are being conducted by Chinese authorities. Seven cases are in Beijing and two (including one fatality) in Anhui Province. According to WHO guidelines for the global surveillance of SARS, classification as a confirmed case requires independent verification of results by an external international reference laboratory.

WHO is working closely with Chinese health authorities to confirm the status and full extent of this cluster of cases and to prevent further spread. The situation is considered potentially serious because of the multiple opportunities for exposure in the contacts identified.