Indiana Gazette from Indiana, Pennsylvania • Page 7

Nation World Saturday, March 15, 2003 Page 7 Atypical pneumonia outbreak OCt Pneumonia first found in Asia may be spreading to other countries 98 isolated from the rest of the hospital, said Nguyen Due Hien, deputy director of die unit at Bach Mai. The Hanoi outbreak started after an American businessman traveling from Shanghai via Hong Kong apparently infected up to 30 hospital workers, Ave of whom are listed in critical condition. The unidentified U.S. citizen was evacuated and died in Hong Kong. Singapore has reported 16 infections and Taipei had three hospitalized with flu-like symptoms, including a husband and wife.

A man from the Philippines who visited Vietnam earlier this month also has been diagnosed with atypical pneumonia. In southern China's Guangdong province, a viral pneumonia outbreak in late January killed five people and sickened 300 others. In Hong Kong, officials said today that eight more hospital workers have come down with pneumonia, bringing the total number to 37. Two patients were listed in serious condition. The disease had not spread to the general public said Hong Kong's Secretary for Healdi, Food and Welfare Dr.

Yeoh Eng-kiong. By MARGIE MASON Associated Press Writer HANOI, Vietnam Medical authorities fear an outbreak of pneumonia in Asia may be spreading as new cases are reported in Vietnam, Taiwan and Canada. Outbreaks of atypical viral pneumonia have been reported in southern China. Hong Kong and Singapore, although experts have not yet confirmed if a single strain is behind the outbreak. A World Health Organization official said today it was looking at control measures, including how airlines might take precautions to help prevent its spread.

No direct link has been established among the cases, but health experts are monitoring the various outbreaks. Australia's foreign affairs department said it knew of at least 66 possible cases of atypical pneumonia, mosdy among medical staff in the region, and might Issue warnings about visiting certain nations. The Canadian Press reported that a mother and son, who recently arrived from Hong Kong, died in Toronto from atypical pneumonia and four of their relatives have been hospitalized. In Hanoi, one hospital with infected patients has been quarantined. At least 11 more people were admitted to another hospital after coming down with the same flu-like symptoms, officials said today.

Health experts had previously hoped that the atypical pneumonia had been contained witliin the Hanoi French Hospital, which closed its doors Tuesday after more than two dozen hospital workers fell ill. Officials ar the Bach Mai Hospital said the new patients were either relatives or had some type of contact with the sick hospital workers. The new cases were being treated in the hospital's tropical disease unit and Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. John Kerry, talked to Linda Read Friday during a visit at the opening day of the California Democratic Parly State Convention held in Sacramento, Calif.

(AP photo) Kerry lashes out at Bush administration Patients wore masks to protect themselves from infection following an atypical pneumonia outbreak as they wait at an emergency ward of a Hong Kong hospital today. fAP photo) A GIFT FOR YOU! with any 25 or more Lancome purchase. Celebrate spring with a fresh new look! Lancome gives you everything you need with this chic case and luxe mix of portable must-haves. By ERICA WERNER Associated Press Writer SACRAMENTO Presidential hopeful Sen. John Kerry accused President Bush Friday of treating California as "foreign territory" and said the Bush administration has worked against the state's interests.

"Over and over again he has stood in the way of this state's progress, choosing special interests over California's interests," the Massachusetts Democrat told hundreds of delegates on the first day of the California Democratic Party convention at the Sacramento Convention Center. He cited what he said were the Bush administration's attempts to block California environmental regulations and its siding with Enron during the energy crisis. To cheers from the crowd, he said Bush economic policies had pushed unemployment up and incomes down. "This president has seen 01 to protect those at the top at the pense of the average American," Kerry said. The Massachusetts Democrat was the first of six presidential hopefuls appearing at the weekend event.

Reliably Democratic California is home to more campaign dollars and electoral voles than any other slate, making it a key campaign destination. Kevin Sheridan, a spokesman for the Republican National Com mitree, disputed Kerry's criticism. "The Democratic presidential field's baseless daily attacks notwithstanding, Califomians need to know they have a president who has cut their taxes, reformed their children's education and is protecting die homeland," he said. Kerry also released a letter he sent to U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham calling for a federal investigation of record-high gas prices across the nation.

An Energy Department spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Addressing reporters earlier, Kerry renewed his criticism of what he termed "some of the most bizarre, arrogant, ineffective diplomacy that I've seen in a long, long time" by the Bush administration on Iraq, while insisting he did not regret his own vote last fall in favor of a congressional resolution authorizing force in Iraq. "I have always believed that proliferation is one of the greatest challenges we face in our country," he said. Concern over Iraq was evident as the 1,800 convention delegates prepared for speeches today by North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, former Vermont Gov.

Howard Dean and Al Sharp ton and appearances Sunday by Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich and former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun. The party's resolutions committee was discussing an Iraq resolution Friday catling on Bush "to initiate military action only with die approval of the United Nations Security Council." The resolution was expected to be approved, after some modification, by delegates Sunday. Activists were also planning an anti-war demonstration al the State Capitol today.

Eight months before the Iowa caucuses and a year before California's primary, analysts say California's voters are up for grabs. 'Kerry, however, has made strong inroads, particularly in the Silicon Valley. He raised $900,000 at a San Francisco fund-raiser Thursday night, aides said. He also got a boost from two polls Friday suggesting he is the front-runner. Of the nine Democratic candidates, Rep.

Dick Gephardt of Missouri and Sens. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Bob Graham of Florida, were not attending the convention. Gephardt and lieberman cited scheduling conflicts. Choose your Colour The Romantics or Tha QnnhinHnat-ae Rouge Absolu Creme LipColour (full size) and Maquiriche EyeColour Quartet. Plus: Definicils Mascara in Black, Bi-Facial Eye Makeup Remover, Miracle Splash Fragrance, Lipstick Case and a Lancome Signature Cosmetic Case.

BELIEVE IN BEAUTY' Court: Airline doesn't have to honor vouchers Collection, laiiiirinn. One gilt per customer while quantities FOR YOUR PURCHASE, MAY WE SUGGEST: By DAVID B. CARUSO Associated Press Writer PHILADELPHIA Flight attendants who fought Trans World Airlines for almost 20 years over its policy of grounding pregnant employees won't get the free travel diey were promised to settle the discrimination case in 1995. A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that American Airlines, which bought bankrupt TWA in 2001, does not have to honor the flight vouchers given to 2,053 attendants forced to take unpaid maternity leaves in the 1970s and 198ns. A three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S.

Circuit Court of Appeals said a bankruptcy court was within its rights to allow TWAs assets to be sold free of old debts, including legal settle-ments. The decision dealt a blow to the flight attendants' long battle to claim compensation for the months thcyspentoutofworkbecauseofthc airline's policy of not allowing pregnant employees to fly. "This is disappointing to us, I'm sure that it is very disappointing to these women," said -American Civil Liberties Union attorney NaxnitaLuthra. "After all these years, they are left with The US. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission first filed the discrimination complaint against TWA in 1976.

It was later joined by the ACLlf and hundreds of flight attendants. Lulhra said an appeal is possible, but would be difficult to win. A spokeswoman for American Airlines on Friday declined to immediately comment on the case. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology says healthy women can safely fly until their 36th week of pregnancy. In the 1970s, some docrors recommended that pregnant attendants stop flying after 13 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The settlement had covered all TWA flight attendants who were placed on mandatary maternity leave between 1971 and 1964. The average worker received 25 vouchers for free flights. The court said a majority of the coupons were still unused because most of the flight attendants had saved them for travel once they retired. In its ruling, the 3rd Circuit said forcing TWAs buyers to honor old debts, including the travel vouchers, could have sunk the sale and resulted in a liquidation of the airline and the possible elimination of 20,000 jobs. The body was found at about 3 p.m.

Friday after police acting on a tip began digging on a wooded side off Quarry Road in Wilkin Township, about 10 miles east of Pittsburgh. Authorities said an. informant linked to arrests made in a major southwestern Pennsylvania burglary ring helped them find the body. State Attorney General Mike Fisher on Monday announced arrest warrants for 10 people he said were responsible for as many as 300 crimes in eight southwestern counties. NEW! ABS0LUE NIGHT ABS0LUE NIGHT RECOVERY TREATMENT An innovative formula for mature skin that helps maximize the skin's nighttime recovery.

2.6-oz $115. 1 ABSOLUE NIGHT Ahsnluw Night RwrTte'meof frrS E. Throat and tfri 0 LANCOME faa FAtu Mz Autopsy scheduled for body found in shallow grave last Merchandise selection will vary by store. TURTLE CREEK, Pa. AP) The Allegheny County Coroner's Office planned to autopsy a body found in a shallow grave, believed to be that of a woman reported missing more than two years ago.

Allegheny County Police Superintendent Robert Fulton said authorities are virtually certain the body is that of Lynda McClelland of Forest Hills, a waitress who was 44 years old when she was last seen in July 2000. 'Authorities hone todays autopsy will confirm that and tell them how the woman died..