SARS suspect quarantined but virus appears not infectious

CHINA'S first suspected SARS patient in months is in stable condition under quarantine, the health ministry said yesterday.

The 32-year-old freelance television producer is in hospital in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, where the deadly flu-like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) first erupted in November last year.

"His condition is stable and his temperature is normal," the health ministry said on its website www.moh.gov.cn, adding that no new cases were found.