WHO is studying possibility whether livestock in southern China cause of SARS

The World Health Organisation is now studying whether livestock in southern China may be the source of SARS, a deadly flu-like virus.

It has killed 63 people worldwide and infected almost 1,800.

The WHO regional office in Manila says the health body is awaiting authorisation from China to visit Guangdong province.

That was where the mystery disease first broke out in November.

It has since spread to other parts of the world, mainly Asia, through air travel.

But scientists have ruled-out a link between the disease, and the bird flu.

What experts have not ruled out is whether SARS is Airborne.

A top US health official says large outbreaks such as that in Hong Kong have raised this possibility.

This would make it far more contagious than previously thought.

Scientists are also puzzled, as to why two families of viruses have been found, in SARS patients.

Health officials previously believed SARS was transmitted through close contact with "droplets" from a sneezing or coughing patient.

The US-based Centres for Disease Control says health experts still do not have enough information on the mystery disease.

It also believes the best way now to prevent SARS is to take precautions similar to that during ordinary flu season.