TAMPA – Anti-Americanism is not the only menace the Yankees may face in their season-opening series in Toronto.

Ontario was put under a provincial state of medical emergency due to an outbreak of the SARS pneumonia virus. As of yesterday afternoon, the disease had killed three in the province, which houses Toronto, and there were from 20-65 possible other cases. World-wide, SARS has killed at least 53 people and infected more than 1,400, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Nevertheless, both Blue Jays president Paul Godfrey and Yankee GM Brian Cashman said the three-game series beginning Monday will not be cancelled. The Yankees are scheduled to leave tomorrow for Toronto. The problem, however, may not be getting into the Country, but getting out. The WHO recommended yesterday that all travelers leaving Toronto on international flights be screened for symptoms of SARS as a way to stem the lethal disease.