Experts hunting the origins of a lethal pneumonia bug have found more evidence that it can be spread easily.
Five of the 24 cases of Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in the southern Chinese city of Foshan examined so far by a newly-arrived World Health Organization (WHO) team were caught despite the patient having no obvious contact with an infected person.
Experts now believe that, in some cases at least, the "infectious agent" involved can be spread either through airborne droplets - or perhaps linger on objects such as door handles.
Scientists first believed that only "close contact" - such as being sneezed on by a sufferer - could spread the infection.
If another route of transmission is confirmed, it could potentially make it far tougher to halt the outbreaks in China and elsewhere.
Five of the 24 cases of Sars (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in the southern Chinese city of Foshan examined so far by a newly-arrived World Health Organization (WHO) team were caught despite the patient having no obvious contact with an infected person.
Experts now believe that, in some cases at least, the "infectious agent" involved can be spread either through airborne droplets - or perhaps linger on objects such as door handles.
Scientists first believed that only "close contact" - such as being sneezed on by a sufferer - could spread the infection.
If another route of transmission is confirmed, it could potentially make it far tougher to halt the outbreaks in China and elsewhere.
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