Canada struggles to stem virus
 

More than 100 people in Canada are now suspected of having contracted the new form of pneumonia which has been sweeping parts of east Asia.

Four people in Ontario have died of the illness known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

A senior government health official in the province of Ontario says more cases are appearing there every day, most of them among hospital workers.

Two Ontario hospitals have been closed down and staff at others have been ordered to wear masks and gloves at all times.

Ontario is experiencing the most serious outbreak of SARS outside of south-east Asia.

Officials say there are 81 suspected cases but admit that the figure is likely to be much higher.

Now, there is a fourth death.

There are few details being released about the person who died.

Quarantine

Doctor James Young, Ontario's commissioner of public safety, confirmed the latest fatality:

"What we are quite certain of in this case, though, is that SARS played some role in this death, and that this death is linked back to the outbreak at the Scarborough Grace hospital."

MYSTERY BUG
At least 54 people dead and 1,550 cases in 13 countries
Originated in southern China
Spread by international travellers

Scarborough Grace is considered the e-p-i-c-entre of the outbreak.

The building has been closed and medical staff there have been made to wear face masks, goggles and other protective clothing.

Thousands of people who have come into contact with the hospital have been put under a 10-day quarantine.

A second city hospital has also been closed and others are severely restricting visitors.

Nationwide spread

But it seems Canadian authorities have been unable to contain the virus.

There are now four suspected cases in British Columbia, on Canada's west coast, including one person in a serious condition.

On the other side of the country, in New Brunswick, a school has been closed and a teacher thought to have the illness has been put under quarantine.

People returning from trips to south-east Asia are thought to have been the source of the outbreaks.

The Federal Health Ministry is now working with officials at Canadian airports to try and devise a programme to screen people leaving and arriving on international flights.

Yea no shit im supposed to be going to canada the 17th I might just say fuck it and not go its scary

It's pretty shiity.. trust me.

Not yet, but it will become shitty, for sure. :helpme

Ha......ha?

I think Im going to move where its safe. Canada is a scary place.

Lens you need a new designer? Will work for surgical masks and vitamin C

I'm going to the Blue Jays - Yankees game tonight.. I wonder how many people will be wearing masks in the crowd..

i read in the paper that the disease fills your lungs with so much liquid, its near impossible to inject any sort of medication.

its terrifying, you might think you just have the flu, then you're on your deathbed, freaky.

no case yet in Montreal?

Nope only Toronto so far..

So far USA has 59 cases and Canada has 44 so your no safer in the US then you are here..

44? I read something about over 100 in Ontario alone.. maybe that was just suspected cases.

Anyway, it's gonna be hard to keep an exact number on it. I'm sure there are a ton of people who may have it and just havn't gone to the doctor or hospital yet.

ouf... we're still lucky in Mtl... but for how long!? a few days?!