No SARS cases registered in Russia today

To day, over 25 cases of suspected atypical pneumonia (SARS) have been registered in Russia. However, only one patient, a resident of Blagoveshchensk, has been hospitalised with such a preliminary diagnosis. The chief state sanitary doctor of Russia, Gennady Onishchenko, spoke about it at the session of the council of the Upper House (the Federation Council).

According to him, the disease of the inhabitant of Blagoveshchensk, who was hospitalised a week ago, has been diagnosed as "atypical pneumonia in question." Out of the five laboratory tests conducted in Moscow, only two have been positive. At the present time, work is being done to extract the virus from this patient. His state is still grave.

However, answering the questions of the senators, Gennady Onishchenko came out against closing the markets where Chinese citizens sell their goods. "So far I do not see the reasons for closing all markets, but I shall do it if need be," he said.

The chief state sanitary doctor of Russia told the senators that as of May 12, according to the World Health Organisation, 7,440 SARS cases have been registered in thirty-three countries; 552 people died. In China 6,696 SARS cases have been registered, 447 out of them ended tragically, he pointed out.