WHO expert arrives in Beijing to help SARS probe
( 2003-12-29 14:48) (Xinhua)
A WHO laboratory expert
arrived in Beijing Monday morning to assist in the medical examination of the
suspected SARS case in the southern Guangdong Province.
"The Australian expert will help with interpretation and verification of the
results of tests done so far and to assist with further investigations," Roy
Wadia, spokesman of the World Health Organization (WHO) China office, said.
The Chinese health authorities have also asked for medical equipment,
including test kits. "The issue is being processed," he said.
The WHO China office said in a statement that reports from the Health
Ministry said tests had been carried out by three laboratories, two at the
Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the other at the
Guangdong provincial CDC.
"The Health Ministry has informed the WHO that the results indicate the
possibility of SARS coronavirus infection. However, results at this stage are
inconclusive, and further tests need to be carried out for a final conclusion,"
said the statement.
The Health Ministry said epidemiological investigations showed that in the
two weeks prior to the onset of symptoms the patient had no known contact with
high-risk groups such as health workers or animal handlers. The source of the
suspected SARS infection was therefore unclear.
The Health Ministry reported on Dec. 27 that a 32-year-old man was suspected
of being infected with SARS in Guangdong. So far, the man had a normal
temperature for five days and is now in a stable condition.
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