SARS Mistake In Taiwan

A Taiwanese scientist who tested positive for SARS on Wednesday failed to follow World Health Organization safety guidelines and wear protective gloves and a gown while studying the virus, a WHO official said.

The Taiwanese scientist also reported that he suspected that he was infected by some spilled liquid in his laboratory at Taipei's National Defense University, said Dr. Shigeru Omi, the WHO's Western Pacific regional director.

"This person told the authorities that he worked in the laboratory on the 5th of December and on that day ... he observed that there's some spilt liquid attached to the outside surface of the test tube," Omi said at a news conference in Manila, Philippines.

"So this is most likely how the contaminated liquid infected this scientist," Omi said.

The WHO official also said that according to reports collected by the WHO, the Taiwanese scientist did not wear protective gear, like gloves and a gown.

"What we hope is that all the researchers involved in this kind of work will comply with this recommendation guideline we have already given to them," Omi said.