Military

DATE=4/28/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=WHO/ SARS / VIETNAM (L-O)

NUMBER=2-302657

BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN

DATELINE=GENEVA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///// EDS: MAY BE USED AS ALTERNATE TO CR 2-302639, VIETNAM / SARS CONTAINED /////

INTRO: The World Health Organization says the government of Vietnam's aggressive response to the SARS epidemic has successfully contained the mysterious flu-like illness. As Lisa Schlein reports from Geneva, the W-H-O has declared Vietnam the first SARS-infected country to be free of the deadly virus.

TEXT: The World Health Organization says other countries hit by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome can draw some lessons from Vietnam's success in containing the disease.

Aileen Plant is the head of W-H-O's team of experts in Vietnam. In a tele-conference from Hanoi, Dr. Plant told reporters that Vietnam was able to prevent SARS from getting out of control because of its speedy response.

/// PLANT ACT ///

And then it comes down to what is really good old fashioned infectious disease (fighting); finding the cases, identifying who they have been mixing with, who their contacts are, following those contacts and at the very slightest suspicion that they may become suspect cases, making sure that they are isolated and unable to infect other people.

/// END ACT ///

Vietnam had 63 cases of SARS. Five people have died of the disease. Though five others are hospitalized, all of them are expected to recover. The last case of SARS occurred on April eighth. W-H-O declared Vietnam SARS-free after no new cases had been reported for 20 days. That is twice the incubation period of the virus.

Although, the epidemic is essentially over in Vietnam, W-H-O says the country will have to remain vigilant. Vietnam borders China, where increasing numbers of SARS cases and deaths are reported every day.

Dr. Plant says Vietnam will have to take precautions to make sure no new cases of SARS are imported from China or elsewhere.

/// 2ND PLANT ACT ///

Obviously, for any country in the world, SARS is only a plane ride away. And, of course, Vietnam is no different. So, yes, a case could come at any time. We know that countries vary in the amount of screening they are doing. But, to be honest, in the end, the screening only changes the chances. It does not actually eliminate the possibility of SARS being imported.

/// END ACT ///

In a further bit of good news, the World Health Organization says outbreaks of the SARS virus have peaked in Canada, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Unfortunately, it says the epidemic is continuing to grow in mainland China. W-H-O officials say the disease has spread from Beijing into several provinces where few health facilities exist. (SIGNED)

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