The Hong Kong authorities began destroying 15,000 chickens at a poultry market and suspended imports from mainland China after some birds were found to be infected with bird flu.

The Hong Kong authorities began destroying 15,000 chickens at a poultry market and suspended imports from mainland China after some birds were found to be infected with bird flu.

HONG KONG reported a record nine SARS deaths in a day yesterday, including its youngest victim to date, as the Chinese capital of Beijing woke up to a virus creeping into its hinterland.