The viral pneumonia-like ailment dubbed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has also infected more than 2,300 people in more than 20 countries, according to international health officials.

Five Taiwanese navy ships were expected in the Nicaraguan port of Corinto by the end of the week, bringing with them 840 Taiwanese sailors.

Nicaraguan Health Minister Jose Alvaro assured the jittery public that the government will not allow any of the sailors ashore "before making sure they don't represent any risk."

He said his ministry was in contact with military, police and immigration authorities to assess the situation.

However, chief epidemiologist Juan Jose Amador sought to play down the risk, saying that the incubation period for the virus was 10 days, and if none of the sailors had fallen sick during the Pacific crossing, there would likely be no harm in letting them ashore.

SPACE.WIRE