Possible Sars for 9 foreigners
2003-04-11 15:11
Shanghai - Around nine foreigners suspected of having contracted Severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) are being treated at a hospital in China's largest city Shanghai, according to the US consulate.
"We are aware that approximately nine foreigners have been referred to the Pneumology Hospital as 'suspected' Sars cases," said an e-mail from the consulate that was seen by AFP on Friday.
Among them were two American citizens, it said.
"I can confirm that everything in that email sent out to American citizens is true," said Salome Hernadez, a US consular official.
Officials in Shanghai have confirmed only one case of the deadly pneumonia so far, repeatedly denying there could be more.
A World Health Organisation (WHO) information officer said Friday the number of people infected with the disease in China had reached 1 309 with 58 deaths and 1 037 recoveries.
- AFX