As the Chinese government acknowledges that the SARS outbreak was more extensive than originally reported, concerns are rising that the disease may become epidemic in rural China, where health care and medical facilities are substandard and inadequate to handle an infectious disease. In an effort to prevent the further spread of the disease, officials canceled the week-long May Day holidays, during which tens of millions of people were expected to fill trains, planes, buses and hotels throughout the country. Anyone suspected of being infected with SARS both in China and Hong Kong will be quarantined in special hospitals where visits may not be permitted. Medical evacuation of SARS patients is not possible.
