Suspected SARS case in Mumbai

A person, suspected to be suffering from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, was admitted to the Kasturba Hospital in Mumbai on Monday evening.

Rebecca, an American who landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, had cough and high fever, which are symptoms of SARS.

Dr R M Kathuria, Executive Health Officer of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, said, "Rebecca has a history of Asthma. She is suffering from cold and fever. We cannot confirm whether she is suffering from SARS unless all tests have been done."

Rebecca visited countries like China and Vietnam before coming to Mumbai.

"Since she had visited those countries that had reported cases of SARS, we are taking all precautions," Kathuria told rediff.com

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has also sounded an alert and asked doctors and experts from the National Institute of Virology to treat Rebecca if she is suffering from SARS.

Pharmaceutical companies have also been asked to help with medicines.

There is a team of sixteen doctors at the airport and it is monitoring all passengers from South East Asian countries.

Authorities at the airport have introduced a health form and passengers are urged to disclose their medical history.