At the same time, authorities have opened quarantine camps for victims of the mysterious respiratory epidemic, which is responsible for at least 16 deaths in Hong Kong and nearly 50 elsewhere.

The pneumonia-like illness, called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, claimed at least two lives in Thailand and Hong Kong Tuesday as nations across Asia and Europe implemented new measures to keep it from spreading.

Singapore closed one of its largest colleges for a week. Taiwan barred boats from mainland China. The World Economic Forum postponed until late in the year a meeting of economic and government leaders in Beijing.

Switzerland told exhibitors at a watch and jewelry fair opening Thursday not to employ anyone arriving from China, Hong Kong, Singapore or Vietnam. France, Belgium and Denmark recommended against travel to areas where the disease is present.

The World Health Organization said Tuesday that more than 1,800 people in 17 countries and territories have been infected since the pneumonia-like disease first appeared in China's eastern Guangdong province in November.

In hard-hit Hong Kong, shoppers crowded stores to stock up on basic provisions after a website designed to look like a leading Chinese newspaper reported that the former British colony would be declared an infected city. A leading health official said the rumor was false and she insisted there is no shortage of food and other necessities.

But authorities did evacuate a high-rise apartment complex where about one-third of Hong Kong's 685 patients live. The officials said they were concerned that isolating the people at home has not stopped the spread of the mysterious disease.

Residents were sent to two government-run holiday camps where they can recuperate for at least 10 days with regular medical checkups and free meals.