More SARS Cases in California

Santa Clara County health officials say they have identified 2 more suspected cases of the mysterious illness known as SARS. One is a 7-year-old Hong Kong resident visiting the Bay area. The other is a 58-year-old male who recently visited China. Both patients are in home isolation.

County health officials have begun distributing a set of guidelines to the medical community for dealing with the illness.

SARS is a flu-like illness that has swept through Asia in recent months. It is characterized by fever and shortness of breath or cough. Only people who exhibit these symptoms and have traveled recently to Hong Kong, Viet Nam, Hanoi or China are considered at risk of carrying SARS.

The illness has sickened about 2200 people worldwide, and led to at least 80 deaths.