Deadly pneumonia starts affecting hi-tech biz

THE DANGEROUS AND sometimes deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has started to affect the hi-tech biz in Asia, according to reports.

SARS, now believed to possibly be a mutation of the incurable common cold virus, has already caused numerous deaths in mainland China, and has spread to Hong Kong and other South East Asian countries.

The Taiwan Economic News reports today that the government has now declared SARS a contagious disease and has warned against business people and others visiting other destinations in the region.

The World Health Organisation has now designated Hong Kong, mainland China and Vietnam as epidemic areas for the disease.

The newspaper reports that a number of European manufacturers have now pulled out of trade shows at the Taipei World Trade Centre.

American visitors, and reps from Sony Japan have also pulled out of meetings with local IT suppliers, the newspaper reported. µ

* CANADIAN READER WRITES. "Here in Toronto, approx 3000 people have been asked to go into voluntary 10 day quarantine and all hospitals have banned all visitors in an attempt to get on top of this, Pearson International Airport is screening all passengers ( in and out going ) as well ... everyone is wearing surgical masks."