World awaits Hong Kong SARS update

The Hong Kong health department is to release results of tests on a 34-year-old woman suffering from fever and breathing difficulties later today, a spokesman said.

Initial tests showed the woman did not have SARS, the government said.

Health, welfare and food Secretary Yeoh Eng-kiong said: "Obviously, the government is on high alert.

"We are always watching out for possible re-emergence of SARS although the patient's history has not suggested (it) but we are prudent".

The woman, who has no travel history, was in a stable condition.

Her daughter, who is living with her, and the woman's parents are all in good health and show no symptoms of the pneumonia-like illness, a spokesperson said.