NSW boy has SARS-like flu

news.com.au April 07, 2003

A NINE-year-old boy has been admitted to hospital with symptoms of the SARS virus after a recent visit to Hong Kong, the NSW Health Department said today. But a spokeswoman for the department said the boy's condition was improving and it didn't appear likely he was suffering the disease.

The deadly respiratory disease SARS became subject to Australia's most stringent quarantine laws today as airports around the country continued to stop and check suspect incoming passengers.

One hundred people have been killed worldwide since the deadly disease was first detected.

"A nine-year-old boy became sick in early April within ten days of returning from Hong Kong," the spokeswoman said.