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Two suspected SARS cases in NZ

-Doctors treating possible SARS case (01.47)

Medical staff in Auckland are working to treat two patients who may have a deadly pneumonia-like illness that has broken out around the world.

The Auckland Medical Officer of Health Doctor Craig Thornley says both patients have recently travelled in Asia, where Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has taken hold.

He says the patients, who are being treated in Greenlane and North Shore hospitals, have the symptoms of SARS, including a high fever and difficulty breathing.

Thornley says the two are being kept in isolation and their care is being managed under strict infection control guidelines.

The disease has infected hundreds of people, and killed up to 14 people worldwide in the past three weeks.

Published on Mar 21, 2003