Experts from the World Health Organization were sent to the Hebei province in China where the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus is spreading the fastest. The number of SARS infections has "risen sharply" in the past week, doubling to 98 between April 30 and May 4. Various recent researchers have stated that the virus is much more robust than first anticipated, and much deadlier in older patients.
China has installed various quarantine areas and has become a voluntary participant in the efforts to quell the epidemic, despite the earlier reluctance to cooperate with international efforts. This was largely due to the pressure from various quarters, but particularly because of the loss of revenue from tourism that is a significant source of income for China.
One country that is tightening the screws on China is Russia. In early May Russia said that it was considering tough border restrictions with China.
Recent statistics shows a mortality rate of about 20% but when it comes to the older patients the figure is much higher at 55%. For elderly person with a regular respiratory infection the vulnerability rate is less than 1%. This clearly shows how seriously the SARS epidemic is threatening older populations.
Despite all the measures so far, SARS continues to hit China, and to a lesser degree other countries.