Beijing (Fides Service) - Chinese newspapers and television are in alarm about the SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which has taken the place in news headlines of the war in Iraq. According to latest April 14 reports from the Chinese Health authorities, so far in China 1,428 people have contracted SARS and 64 of them died.
One hundred and nine new cases and 6 deaths were reported in three days, 11 to 13 of April alone. For the first time cases were reported in Inner Mongolia where five members of the same family reportedly have the virus. In Shanghai seven foreign citizens, including two Americans, suspected of having SARS were later sent home from hospital when tests revealed that they did not have the disease.
According to the Singapore daily Lian He Zao Bao, the mayor of Beijing has admitted that the first SARS case in China was recognised in early march and that the government decided not to reveal the news so as not to cause alarm among the public, during the Assembly of the Communist Party and the Assembly of the Consultative Council.
Today the Chinese government faced with an unexpected situation has mobilised every available force to fight the SARS virus. The new President Hu Jin Tao has visited Guangzhou the most affected area, defined "epidemic zone" by the World Health Organisation. He also met the administrator of the Special Autonomous Region of Hong Kong, Dong Jian Hua, assuring him full support from the central government in Beijing. The new Chinese Premier Wen Jia Bao presided several emergency meetings and also visited the hospital in the capital where SARS patients are treated. In the meantime a team of WHO experts is in Macao for a preventative fact finding visit. (Fides Service 15/4/2003 EM lines 27 Words: 253)