The lab worker's mother was hospitalized on April 8 with a fever -- a key SARS symptom -- and an unidentified virus, the ministry said. It said she died on Monday and was cremated.
Asia, which was hardest hit by last year's SARS crisis, braced for a possible return of the virus.
The new cases in China "serve as a timely reminder to countries in the region to be constantly vigilant in monitoring communicable diseases," Asian health ministers said in a statement.
Singapore alerted its hospitals to be on guard for possible SARS cases and to take extra care when handling patients arriving from China.
Also, staff at CKS International Airport made passengers arriving from China fill out health forms yesterday as a precaution against SARS, and checked all arriving and departing passengers for symptoms of the disease, like fevers and shortness of breath.
RSS