SARS threatens Canadian Olympians participation

Canada's participation in the Special Olympics has been thrown into question again today as the country faces another SARS outbreak.

Toronto was back on the map of SARS troublespots today after health officials there confirmed eight new cases.

The United States issued a new travel alert for Toronto, which thought it had shaken off Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and had launched a campaign to lure tourists back to Canada’s largest city.

Toronto officials announced three SARS deaths, bringing the world’s toll today to at least 721.

More than 8,100 people have been infected since the disease emerged in November in China’s southern Guangdong province.

China’s mainland and its territory Hong Kong account for the vast majority of cases and deaths.

Meanwhile the health chief of Taiwanese capital Taipei, Chiu Shu-ti, resigned last night, taking the blame for last month’s SARS outbreak at the capital’s Hoping Hospital.

The hospital was the source for most of the island’s SARS infections.

Taiwan reported 15 new cases today, bringing its total infections to 585, including 72 deaths.