Tracking an Outbreak

In December, a 32-year-old chef was admitted to a hospital in Heyuan (1). 8 doctors and nurses fell ill.

In January, another chef was hospitalized (1). 13 medical workers were infected, they in turn infected 15 others.

In February, a very sick man went to various emergency rooms as treatment failed. Dozens of health workers were infected. On Feb. 21, one of the infected doctors went to Hong Kong (2), where he stayed in the Metropole Hotel, and infected other guests including 2 Canadians, an American en route to Hanoi, and three women from Singapore.

Who is the index case for Canada, Viet Nam, and Singapore?

The animal farms in southern China may be an ideal breeding group for new human viruses. See the origin of a new strain of Influenzavirus.