China confirms two more cases of SARS

Main Category: Flu / Cold / SARS
Article Date: 18 Jan 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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During the busiest weekend before the start of the Lunar New Year China has confirmed two more new cases of SARS.

The WHO asked for further testing in order to be doubly sure that they really do have SARS.

The new cases are a businessman (35 years old) and a waitress (20 years old). The waitress works (worked) in a restaurant that served civet cats (Chinese city of Guangshou). Civet cat is a regional delicacy, it is also thought to be a suspected source of SARS.

So far this year (18 days) the total number of SARS cases stands at three. The other case is recovering (32 year old TV producer). Officials say this case (TV producer) could have been a milder strain of the virus.

'They concluded that the clinical symptoms and results of laboratory tests and X-ray tests were in line with a diagnosis standard recommended by the Health Ministry for SARS,' a statement from the government of the southern province Guangdong said.

According to a WHO expert, these confirmations could be premature. In order to be really sure you need two blood tests, seven days apart (long enough to measure a significant rise in antibodies for any disease). In the case of the businessman, the two tests were carried out three days apart.

'At this time it's difficult to tell what their antibodies are responding to. It could be the SARS coronavirus or a type of common cold virus,' said a WHO spokesman. 'We encourage a little more testing to be done to be 100 percent sure of the outcome.'

During this weekend, millions of people travel all over China. People go to their hometowns to celebrate the Lunar New Year (China's biggest holiday). The new year starts on January 22.

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