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SARS virus identified, but the disease is still spreading

BMJ 2003; 326 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.326.7395.897 (Published 26 April 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;326:897
  1. Jane Parry
  1. Hong Kong

    As the epidemic of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) continues to defy attempts to bring it under control, Chinese officials have recorded far more cases in Beijing than previously admitted—a total of 455 cases, or more than 12 times the number previously revealed.

    Until 20 April, officials said that there were only 37 cases in the capital, despite estimates by the World Health Organization that at least 200 people there had contracted SARS. The health minister, Zhang Wenkang, and the mayor of Beijing, Meng Xuenong, have been fired over the cover up.

    The news came as scientists conclusively identified the cause of the syndrome as a coronavirus that is unlike …

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