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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Multi-country outbreak - Alert # 2 A report from WHO is that two laboratories in, Germany and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China, have detected particles of a virus from the Paramyxoviridae family in samples taken from patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). However it is stressed that these are preliminary results only. No firm conclusions about the aetiology of SARS can be made from these results.As of March 20, 2003, WHO reported a cumulative total of 306 suspected and probable cases including 10 deaths (a case fatality rate of 3%) from 10 countries (Canada, China, Germany, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Viet Nam). Hong Kong, Singapore and Viet Nam continue to be affected and to report the greatest numbers of cases. As of March 20, 2003 no cases of SARS have been reported from the Caribbean. In response to this global SARS outbreak CAREC has put together a multidisciplinary team to address this matter. This team will continue to constantly monitor incoming information and issue further guidance and information as necessary and relevant. The CAREC laboratory is prepared to receive and test SARS samples. There remains no recommendation to restrict travel or trade to any destination. However, countries are advised to ensure that their existing surveillance systems are particularly vigilant with respect to persons entering the country from areas where there have been reported cases of locally acquired SARS. To ensure the early detection of suspected cases of SARS, persons entering countries from affected areas should be advised to report to a doctor or health institution should they experience clinical symptoms of SARS. The WHO recommended case definition for SARS remains: Suspect case A person presenting after 1 February 2003 with history of: High fever (>38ēC) AND One or more respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing AND one or more of the following: Close contact* with a person who has been diagnosed with SARS Recent history of travel to areas reporting cases of SARS *Close contact means having cared for, having lived with, or having had direct contact with respiratory secretions and body fluids of a person with SARS. Probable case A suspect case with chest x-ray findings of pneumonia or Respiratory Distress Syndrome OR A person with an unexplained respiratory illness resulting in death, with an autopsy examination demonstrating the pathology of Respiratory Distress Syndrome without an identifiable cause. Further details can be found on the WHO website www.who.int/csr/don/en/ which WHO is updating daily throughout this outbreak. Should you need further information concerning surveillance for SARS please contact: Dr. Eldonna Boisson Manager, Epidemiology Division CAREC Tel: 868-622-2152 or 868-622 4261 ext. 344 Fax: 868-622-1008 or 868-622-2792 E-mail: boissoel@carec.paho.org or carec-epidemiology@carec.paho.org Should you encounter a suspected or probable case of SARS and need advice with respect to sample collection, transport or testing please contact: Dr. Rosa Salas Virologist CAREC Tel: 868-622-4261 ext 221 or 248 Fax: 868-622-2792 E-mail: salasros@carec.paho.org More Information: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) CAREC Guidelines on specimen collection for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)Frequently Asked Questions on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
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Caribbean Epidemiology Centre
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