China finds suspected Sars case

A Sars outbreak in 2002 swept through Asia, killing hundreds

China has detected a new suspected case of the respiratory disease Sars, according to Chinese media reports.

A nurse in Beijing fell ill more than two weeks ago, and is now in hospital with possible Sars symptoms, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The disease first emerged in the southern province of Guangdong late in 2002, spreading across the country and on to 30 other nations.

Approximately 8,000 people were infected, of which 800 died.

China also confirmed four cases of Sars in Guangdong earlier this year, all of whom recovered.

The 20-year-old nurse is now said to be at Ditan Hospital in Beijing.

"Five people who had close contact with her have fever and other symptoms," the health ministry is quoted as saying. "They have been isolated for observation."