'Sars will be a global killer'

Thompson is worried by Sars

People in Europe and the US are likely to die from infection by the Sars virus, the US Health Secretary has predicted.

The respiratory virus has killed hundreds and infected thousands - but the vast majority of deaths so far have been in China and Hong Kong.

As yet, no deaths from the virus have been reported in the US, or any European country.

But US Health Secretary Tommy Thompson said on Tuesday he expected that state of affairs to change.

Then I think you can anticipate that you will have deaths in all continents, or a lot of continents

Tommy Thompson

Asked by reporters in Brussels how confident he was there would be no deaths in his country or in Europe, Thompson said: "I am not confident at all. I think you will see some.

"I don't think SARS is going to go away. I am not a doctor or researcher but my doctors believe that even though Sars could level off now, it may come back in the fall.

"Then I think you can anticipate that you will have deaths in all continents, or a lot of continents."

Thompson also warned restrictions may have to be imposed on international travel - despite serious concern at the impact on the airline industry.

"If the epidemic continues there will be more countries that we will have to put a travel advisory on, which will hurt the airlines even more.

"To the airlines I'd say that I'm sorry but my job is to protect the public health of Americans.

"What we have to do is prevent the spread of SARS wherever we possibly can."

Thompson was in Brussels to address a committee of the European Parliament.