China threatens to execute SARS spreaders as cases climb

THE SARS emergency has worsened in Taiwan, which had its biggest one-day jump in cases yesterday, while China threatened possible execution for people who cause death or injury by deliberately spreading the disease.

The warning by China's supreme court, reported by the official Xinhua News Agency, appeared to be an effort to force compliance with quarantines and other restrictions. It cited existing laws with tough penalties, including a possible death penalty for even non-violent offences.

Police yesterday said a doctor carrying SARS was arrested for allegedly breaking quarantine and starting an outbreak that infected more than 100 people in the northern Chinese city of Linha the first known arrest on charges of infecting others. He was to be charged under a law that has a maximum sentence of three years and it was not immediately clear if the tougher penalties would apply to him.