Killer flu in Asia - internet and mobile networks play key role

NEWS A pneumonia-like illness which has claimed over 50 victims across Asia has sparked a flurry of online activities in the region. As Asian authorities scramble to contain the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), their citizens are now turning to the internet and mobile communications to protest public health policy and spread word of traditional Asian remedies for the deadly virus. In Singapore, a student has started an online petition following the government's decision to exclude tertiary institutions from a compulsory 10-day closure of schools. On Wednesday, the country's education and health ministries decided to shut down all Singapore schools until 6 April to ease fears among parents that crowded environments could heighten the risk of infection among children. While institutions ranging from pre-schools to junior colleges were ordered to close their doors, other tertiary counterparts like polytechnics and universities were excluded. The online petition to include polytechnics in the shutdown has since drawn support from almost 10,000 students in the island-state. Besides the internet, email and mobile networks are also rife with disease rumours, with fervent exchanges on topics such as self-help remedies. Many of them appear to be hoaxes. A chain email currently being circulated throughout countries like Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan currently details a recipe for a soup that is touted to clear toxins from the body and build up resistance to SARS. Medical experts have said there is no conclusive evidence to prove the benefits of the broth, which involves boiling green beans and potatoes with brown sugar. In the wireless realm, text-messaging happy Asians are also spreading SMS messages related to the virus. These typically contain hoax announcements. "To curb the spread of SARS, all offices will be closed from Friday April 28 until further notice.--Minister of Health," goes the message. While these text messages are seen as a joke by some, in Singapore, they can land senders in hot soup. Last November, the police tracked down the man who was the source of a hoax message about a bomb at a popular local nightspot. He was let off with a warning but could have been jailed a maximum of seven years or fined S$50,000 (£18,000). John Lui and Winston Chai write for CNETAsia.