Health officials in Canada, where three people are believed to have died in an outbreak of mysterious mutant pneumonia, said this evening that there may be up to 12 other people still suffering from the disease.
The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has killed 17 people around the world, including four in Hong Kong and Vietnam Monday.
Fourteen of Canada's possible cases, including the three deaths assumed to be from SARS, have been tallied in the most populous province, Ontario, according to its health ministry.
Another possible case is a person in the West Coast province of British Columbia, according the federal agency, Health Canada.
Symptoms of SARS include fever, fatigue, coughing and shortness of breath.
The World Health Organisation says the epidemic has now spread to at least 13 countries and has infected nearly 400 people since breaking out in Hong Kong earlier this month.
AFP