Health chiefs today moved to reassure the Essex public after the fifth UK case of Sars was confirmed - in mid Essex.
The latest case - a man who flew back to the UK from Taiwan on March 29 - was treated at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford at the weekend and then moved to Addenbrooke's in Cambridge.
Health Protection Agency and Department of Health officials said the man had not shown symptoms during the flight and there was no need to trace other passengers.
In a joint statement they said: "He did not have any symptoms on his flight back to England and there is no need for other passengers to be traced.
"Following admission to hospital, he has been treated in isolation as a precautionary measure and his condition is stable."
It added: "Other people who were in close contact with him in the UK are being monitored in case they develop any symptoms, but there is no evidence of this so far.
"Three of the other probable cases who were being treated in various London hospitals have all now recovered and have been discharged from hospital."
The bug- which originated in China -has now killed at least 89 people worldwide and affected thousands more.
Symptoms include fever, aches, dry cough and shortness of breath.
Published Monday, April 7 , 2003
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