17 March 2003
U.N. Health Agency Mobilizes International Response to Mystery Illness
(Pneumonia-like disease appears in numerous countries) (780)
The World Health Organization is stepping up its response to the
sudden appearance of a pneumonia-like respiratory illness that can
kill. In a March 17 statement, WHO reported that it is coordinating an
international multicenter effort to identify the illness that
authorities have dubbed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Eleven laboratories in 10 countries will be combining efforts to
develop methods for diagnosis and treatments. The most cases are
currently concentrated in Hanoi and Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region, China; the WHO initiative will be supporting medical
authorities in those areas to manage the outbreak.
WHO reports that the Chinese government has presented information
about the occurrence of a similar condition appearing in Guandong
province beginning late last year, so far involving more than 300
cases.
The WHO statement March 17 follows an emergency travel advisory issued
March 15, attempting to make travelers, airline crews and airlines
aware of the symptoms of the disease. The advisory was not a direct
warning on all travel, but the statement did say that a traveler
developing the high fever and respiratory symptoms typical of SARS
should not proceed with further travel plans.
The U.N. health agency issued a global alert about SARS March 12. More
than 150 cases have been reported in other Asian nations and in
Canada, with four fatal cases so far, according to a WHO count issued
March 16.
The symptoms of SARS are defined at
http://www.who.int/csr/surveillance/casedefinition/en/
Advice on management of the syndrome is available at
http://www.who.int/csr/surveillance/management/en/
Following is the WHO statement:
(begin text)
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
WHO coordinates international effort to identify and treat SARS
17 March 2003 -- WHO has today stepped up several activities aimed at
strengthening the international response to the recent emergence of
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). SARS is an infectious
disease of unknown etiology characterized by atypical pneumonia (see
WHO press release of 15 March and additional information at
www.who.int.)
The disease is spread from person to person but only through close
contact with a case. To date, almost all reported cases have occurred
in health workers involved in the direct care of reported cases or in
close contacts, such as family members. There is no evidence to date
that the disease spreads though casual contact.
The WHO Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network is coordinating an
international multicenter effort to identify the causative agent. The
project unites 11 laboratories in 10 countries. Participating
laboratories have the most experience to date in diagnosis of cases,
or are known for their high-level facilities and expertise. The
collaborative effort will also improve diagnostic precision and move
work forward on the development of a diagnostic test. WHO is also
working with health authorities to identify an effective treatment for
SARS.
WHO Global Outbreak Alert and Response teams in Hanoi and Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region, China, where the most new cases are
presently concentrated, are assisting health authorities in outbreak
management and in the collection of epidemiological and clinical data
that can improve understanding of SARS.
Through its regional office in Manila, Philippines, WHO is
establishing logistics bases and supply chains to ensure rapid
provision of protective equipment and medicines needed for outbreak
response.
Chinese authorities have now issued a summary report on an outbreak of
what may be the same or a related disease that began in Guangdong
province in southern China in November and peaked in mid-February. The
Chinese report, which includes data on the diagnosis and management of
more than 300 cases, is presently undergoing analysis and is expected
to further contribute to understanding about the syndrome and possible
links among the various outbreaks. The Chinese report, which covers
the largest number of cases to date, may also boost international
efforts to establish effective treatment guidelines, should a
relationship between the outbreaks be established.
The Ministry of Health of China has requested support from an
international team. A WHO team is now being assembled.
Health authorities around the world are now alert to the risk of SARS.
Tracking of the course of the epidemic shows that surveillance systems
are sensitive, communication channels are open, and reporting is
rapid. Information on cases compiled over the past three weeks is
expected to shed new light on the behaviour of this disease.
The speed of international travel creates a risk of rapid spread to
additional areas. Because the clinical course and epidemiological
behaviour of this disease are poorly understood, WHO is calling upon
national health authorities to maintain close vigilance for suspected
cases. There is no current justification for any restriction in travel
or trade.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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