World Health Organization scientists are heading to China's Guangdong province to monitor the outbreak of a deadly virus that has sparked an international health crisis.
After being criticised for weeks for its silence on the disease, China has finally allowed the WHO visit, but not until four months after the first Guangdong cases and only after SARS had killed 78 people and infected 2,300 in at least 17 countries.
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A girl wearing a protective mask to guard against SARS upon arrival at Sydney's international terminal on a flight from Hong Kong
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Most deaths and infections have been in mainland China and Hong Kong. The rapid spread of the disease has prompted WHO and a number of countries to urge travellers to avoid the two places.
The economic and political consequences of the disease for China and its badly hit territory of Hong Kong grew worse in the past day, with more financial strategists reducing forecasts for economic growth, and New Zealand and Switzerland refusing access to Chinese delegations to international conferences.
Investment banks have also cut growth forecasts in Singapore, where four people have died, schools have been closed, and Singapore Airlines has cut 60 flights a week.
Asian airlines, hotels and other tourist industries have reported widespread travel cancellations and scared reactions.
An American woman was removed from an Australian flight bound for Hong Kong last night after other passengers and the cabin crew became worried she might be suffering from SARS. A medical examination later proved negative for the virus.
The outbreak, which has no known cure, has sent a wave of panic across Asia where the disease originated and most cases have occurred. Most of those infected with the virus have recovered, however.
Canadian health officials, dealing with what is now the third biggest set of SARS cases in the world, said yesterday a fresh bout of infections may surface in Ontario later this week, as a 10-day incubation period for the deadly virus passes.
Medical experts globally have linked SARS to a new virus belonging to the corona family, the set of viruses that also causes the common cold. But it is not clear if other viruses have joined to make a deadlier mix. A sudden explosion of infections in one housing estate in Hong Kong has added to the confusion on how SARS is spread.