Mobile phones to detect SARS

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- A Swedish company claims it can reduce the spread of deadly diseases like SARS with a mobile phone.

Med Day's technology enables people to enter their symptoms into a smart mobile phone or pocket computer and transmit the information to doctors, who could rapidly diagnose their condition.

The number of cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, worldwide has risen to more than 7,600 and 588 deaths have been recorded. The death toll in China has risen to 267, according to the country's Health Ministry.

"If China gave it out to people they would be able to control SARS," founder and managing director of Med Day, Sophia Salenius, claimed Wednesday.

The early warning system for national outbreaks of infectious diseases -- costs less than $8 a month per person -- could also be used to alert users to what to do after a chemical or biological attack.

"Any patient suffering from a biological attack, diabetes, Parkinson, permanent pain, bleeding disorders, overweight etc. can... receive an individualized medication treatment," Med Day claims.

The technology -- provided through national phone operators -- will enable a country's disease control organization to monitor an entire population and be alerted when symptoms develop and patterns emerge for diseases.

Early detection of diseases like SARS can help contain the disease and increase patient survival.

Doctors could use the technology to give advice, like telling the person to stay where they are if they have a suspected contagious disease and getting an ambulance to them, according to Salenius.

It will allow supervising authorities to monitor an unlimited number of individuals on a daily basis with automatic alerts of suspected areas where the disease is prolific and reminders to all users to register their symptoms should any occur.

The system was tested by chronically ill patients and their treating doctors.

The company has contacted countries heavily affected by SARS. Singapore and Beijing authorities are already discussing the use of the technology.

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