New Sars scare puts Asia on alert

BUSINESSES in Asia were on Tuesday braced for a possible return of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome after Singapore said one of its citizens might have contracted the virus.

Earlier this year the disease caused havoc to Asian economies and businesses, particularly airlines, restaurants and retail outlets. Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific crashed to a first-half loss of £100m.

The patient - a worker in a virology laboratory - is undergoing further tests to confirm the initial diagnosis.

A spokesman for Singapore's ministry of health said: 'It is likely to be an isolated case.'

It is understood the patient did not work with the Sars virus in his lab.

Thought to originate in southern China, Sars killed more than 800 people worldwide and infected thousands. A total of 33 died in Singapore. Several Asian countries suffered a contraction in their economies.