Shanghai's second patient with severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, was detected Thursday afternoon, according to sources with the local health bureau.
The 68-year-old male patient is the father of the first probable SARS patient, a woman diagnosed with SARS four days ago after returning from a trip to south China.
Since his daughter was found to have contracted SARS, the elderly man had been isolated and monitored by local health department. This measure has effectively prevented the further spread of SARS, said the sources.
The woman's condition has improved greatly and she is in stable condition, and her father is receiving intensive treatment.
The municipal government of Shanghai has made great efforts to contain the spread of SARS and has informed local residents on how to prevent infection.
(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2003)