SARS Fears Prompt China to Halt Foreign Adoptions

By Brian Naylor,

Joe Palca

Published May 16, 2003 at 12:00 AM EDT

China suspends international adoptions indefinitely on fears that prospective parents arriving from abroad may spread SARS. The news comes as Chinese health officials release a report explaining how a faulty drainage system helped spark a massive SARS outbreak in a Hong Kong apartment complex. Hear NPR's Brian Naylor and NPR's Joe Palca.

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Brian Naylor

NPR News' Brian Naylor is a correspondent on the Washington Desk. In this role, he covers politics and federal agencies.

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Joe Palca

Joe Palca is a science correspondent for NPR. Since joining NPR in 1992, Palca has covered a range of science topics — everything from biomedical research to astronomy. He is currently focused on the eponymous series, "Joe's Big Idea." Stories in the series explore the minds and motivations of scientists and inventors. Palca is also the founder of NPR Scicommers – A science communication collective.

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