The pneumonia-like mystery virus stalking South Asia has prompted the Confederation of Indian Industry to cancel several business meets in China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

The killer disease, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS, has forced the CII to call off the trip of an eight-member 'Indian steel alliance mission' led by J R Irani to China.

The delegation that was to have reached Beijing on April 15 was slated to hold important meetings with Chinese businessmen and officials.

The spread of SARS has resulted in the two-day meeting of the World Economic Forum being postponed. The meet was to have been held in China from April 15.

The CII has also cancelled several of its business meetings in Hong Kong and Singapore.

The leading industry platform has also advised corporate houses to avoid attending the popular Canton Fair in China's Guangdong province from April 15 to 20. At least 40 deaths from SARS have been reported from the province.

The CII advice came following the World Health Organisation's health alert issued on Wednesday.

Four other trade fairs in China and Hong Kong are also a no-go for Indian businesses for the time being.

CII's eastern chapter sources said that Indian importers, who did good business at these trade fairs, might suffer setbacks. They were, however, hopeful of the restrictions on travel being removed soon.

SARS has so far claimed about 80 lives, mostly in southern China and Hong Kong.