Britain yesterday reported its first confirmed case of SARS as China threatened to execute or jail for life anyone who intentionally spreads the virus.
The British Health Protection Agency said the patient with the first confirmed case of SARS had recovered and no further public health action was required. But there were three more possible cases, it added.
China, which has reported 271 deaths and about two-thirds of the world's 7,700 known SARS cases, issued a harsh interpretation of its laws on contagious disease after reports that people were violating quarantine orders or refusing to admit to the symptoms.
"Intentionally spreading sudden contagious disease pathogens, endangering public security or \ serious personal injury, death or heavy loss of public or private property will be punishable by from 10 years to life in prison or the death penalty," the official Xinhua news agency said.
Human rights groups said the punishment, which was laid down by the Supreme Court and the chief prosecutor, was harsh.
The World Health Organisation representative in China, Mr Henk Bekedam, said the measure sounded "very tough".
"But I do believe that people have a certain responsibility and it's very important that people understand what that responsibility is."
Chinese officials acknowledged that health controls might not be sufficient to contain the epidemic.
"The potential risk and channels for the SARS epidemic to spread to the countryside persist," said Vice Agriculture Minister Liu Jian. "We need to rouse utmost attention and caution."
Shanghai reported its second death from the respiratory virus that has also spelt disaster for the economy.
A global tourism body said the virus would cost China about three million jobs in the industry this year.
Taiwan, with only a few cases of SARS until late April, now has 264 confirmed cases and 34 deaths - the worst in the world after mainland China and Hong Kong, which has seen 234 deaths.
Taiwan's government has ordered all subway passengers to wear face masks and cancelled leave for the military. The army's chemical warfare unit has become a common sight as it disinfects the capital, district by district.
Taiwan has also applied for WHO observer status, saying it needed information that could save lives in the fight against SARS. Taiwan was ousted from the United Nations in 1971 and replaced by its arch rival, China.
But there was good news for Canada, which the WHO said it had taken off its list of spreading areas. - (Reuters)