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Data show that SARS is gradually coming under control

BMJ 2003; 326 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.326.7400.1166-b (Published 29 May 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;326:1166
  1. Jane Parry
  1. Hong Kong

    Although the number of cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has passed the 8000 mark worldwide, the indications are that the outbreak is otherwise being contained, despite the latest outbreak in Toronto.

    At 26 May there had been 8202 probable cases of SARS and 725 deaths in 29 countries. A total of 4662 people have recovered.

    On 23 May the World Health Organization lifted its travel warning on Hong Kong and Guangdong province because there have been significant improvements in containing the outbreak there.

    “Guangdong was the first place to have cases of SARS, but I am pleased to note that due to the efforts of the local and national health authorities, with support from WHO and partners, the outbreaks in Guangdong and Hong Kong are being contained,” said Gro Harlem Brundtland, director general of WHO.

    WHO's advisory for other parts of China, including Beijing, is still in place and has been extended to cover the whole of Taiwan, as SARS has spread from Taipei to other cities. Two new clusters of cases have also been reported in Toronto (31 March, p 1162).

    Infections across China have slowed dramatically, and on 26 May …

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