Mystery illness hits U.S. with 11 cases

ATLANTA -- The mystery illness that has killed at least 14 people around the world has apparently hit the United States, with health officials investigating 11 suspected cases -- all involving people who have recently traveled to Asia.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, has made 264 people around the world ill, according the World Health Organization. And despite reports from German and Hong Kong labs about possible causes of the disease, federal officials said more tests are needed.

"There's a lot we still don't know about this problem," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Julie Gerberding said Wednesday.

Most of the cases worldwide have been in Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore, mainly infecting health-care workers or family members of ill patients.

Although more cases may be identified in the United States, people shouldn't worry if they haven't traveled recently to parts of Asia where the illness has appeared.

Copyright C 2003 Deseret News Publishing Co.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.