A LEADING medical expert from Southampton claims the outbreak of SARS has "gladdened the hearts" of terrorist organisations.

Frank Boulton, a consultant haematologist at Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, made his comments as he addressed a bio-terrorism conference in London at the weekend.

He said the deadly virus had inevitably been compared with biological weapons and if it had been used as a weapon it would have been successful beyond all expectations, because of the panic it has induced.

Speaking at the conference on Saturday, Mr Boulton said: "What it has done in many ways is gladdened the hearts of so many terrorist organisations, particularly because it has interfered enormously with the economies in the Far East."

Mr Boulton, a consultant physician with the National Blood Service, also said the SARS epidemic had forced the National Blood Service to amend its guidelines for donors.

He said potential blood donors now have to be asked whether they have been to Hong Kong in recent weeks, and will be turned away if they have.

He added: "Of course at this early stage when we don't know enough about the disease and there is a distinct possibility of some carrier status for some weeks or even months afterwards, we have to be cautious."