Quarantine tags to curb Sars spread

Singaporean authorities have ordered that people quarantined for the mystery Sars virus be electronically tagged in an attempt to contain a new cluster of cases.

The virus, which apparently originated in southern China, has spread to Singapore via air travellers from Hong Kong.

Nearly 500 people are in quarantine in Singapore - 200 more than two days ago.

The health ministry says that anyone flouting orders to stay at home will have to wear an electronic wrist tag.

Foreign workers arriving from Sars-hit regions will also be quarantined in dormitories for a mandatory 10-day period, officials announced.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has urged China to be more transparent about the epidemic, amid widespread doubts that Beijing's official statistics tell the whole truth.

A WHO team in Beijing had asked for "more timely and open release of information", the China Daily reported yesterday. However, other Chinese newspapers have failed to report the WHO's concerns.

In Hong Kong, already hard hit by the virus, the death from Sars of an American teacher has stirred controversy.

James Salisbury was moved across the border on Wednesday from neighbouring Shenzhen, where he was working, with his six-year-old son, who is also suffering from the virus.

A friend, David Westbrook, claims the hospital in Shenzhen had previously refused to move Mr Salisbury, but changed its decision when he became terminally ill to ensure that he would not die in China. "They wanted to rush him out after they knew he wasn't going to survive," said Mr Westbrook.

Shenzhen officials have disputed the claim.