Hong Kong braces for possible SARS return

Concern is mounting in Hong Kong that SARS might be returning after a woman was admitted to hospital showing symptoms of the flu-like virus.

Concern is mounting in Hong Kong that SARS might be returning after a woman was admitted to hospital showing symptoms of the flu-like virus.Hong Kong local radio reports a 34-year old woman, possibly suffering from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, has been placed in a government-run hospital. She has been put in an isolation ward for observation, tests and treatment. A Hong Kong health department spokesman says the case is not at the moment being classified as a suspected case of SARS. He says an initial test proved negative.Nearly 1,800 people were affected in the outbreak this year, 297 of whom died. The territory was declared SARS-free in June, but authorities are worried it may re-emerge in the coming northern hemisphere winter.Last week, Singapore confirmed its first case since the end of the initial outbreak.Hong Kong health authorities pledged to strengthen measures to ward off SARS after the new Singapore case, with public hospitals stepping up precautions beyond those recommended by the World Health Organisation.The Hong Kong Hospital Authority said it had increased monitoring and added that around 1,200 isolation beds would be ready by the end of the month.Hong Kong International Airport also maintains thermal imaging equipment to screen passengers for high temperature, and all travellers must fill out health declaration forms.Hong Kong has already suffered several SARS scares this year, most recently last month when seven hospital workers displayed flu-like symptoms. They were later found not to have SARS.(Source: ABC, Last Update: Tuesday, September 16, 2003. 2:08pm (AEST))