SARS
SARS is the term being used to describe a serious respiratory illness
which has been reported in parts of east and south east Asia, and
in Canada
What are the symptoms of SARS?
The main symptoms of SARS are high fever (>38° C), dry cough, shortness
of breath, or breathing difficulties. Changes in chest X-rays indicative
of pneumonia also occur
How contagious is SARS?
Based on currently available evidence, close contact with an infected
person poses the highest risk of the infective agent to spread from
one person to another. To date, the majority of cases have occurred
in hospital workers who have cared for SARS patients and the close
family members of these patients
What is the treatment for SARS?
Antibiotics and antiviral drugs are being used to treat the illness.
A vaccine is not available, but scientists continue to work on its
development. In early 2004 it was reported that coronaviruses with
99% sequence similarity to the surface spike protein of human SARS
isolates were isolated in Guangdong, China, from apparently healthy
masked palm civets (Paguma larvata), a cat-like mammal closely related
to the mongoose. The palm civet is regarded as a delicacy in Guangdong
and it is believed that humans became infected as they raised and
slaughtered the animals rather than by consumption of infected meat
How fast does SARS spread?
SARS appears to be less infectious than influenza. The incubation period
is believed to be short, around 3 to 6 days. The speed of international
travel does, however, create a risk that cases can rapidly spread
around the world
What can I do to protect myself?
Only a few cases have been identified outside of South East Asia and
these cases were in people who had travelled from there, mainly in
Canada. The best advice is to be aware of the symptoms of this illness,
particularly if you have recently travelled in Hong Kong, Singapore,
Vietnam, Taiwan, Beijing, Guangdong China and other parts of south
east Asia, and seek medical advice should you develop them within
ten days of your return
How many cases of SARS have been reported to date?
For the latest number reported cases worldwide, please refer to the
WHO web site (link at the bottom of this document)
What should I do if I am planning to travel to Hong Kong,
Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, or other areas in South East
Asia?
Travellers to South East Asia need to be aware of previous outbreaks
and take them into account in their travel plans. Latest information
is available on the FCO web site, and the travel section of the WHO
web site (links at the bottom of this document)
I recently returned from Hong Kong (or another area affected
by SARS) a week ago and I have now got a temperature and a bit of
a cold. What should I do?
If you have recently returned and suffer from any of the following
symptoms: sudden onset of fever (>38° C), together with respiratory
symptoms such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty
breathing within 10 days of return, please contact your GP surgery
or phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647
Why are you so worried about this infection?
SARS can be a very serious condition. Not all people suffering from
SARS have developed pneumonia, but in those who have the risk of
dying is about 1 in 30. Also, as we have seen in Canada, if the infection
gets into a hospital, it can spread very quickly
After the outbreak in 2003 are we likely to see a repeat?
It is difficult to say. A lot of measures have been put in place to
identify and limit infection, and if it occurs again we will be in
a better position to contain it
USEFUL WEB SITES
Health Protection Agency web site: http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/default.htm
World Health Organisation home page: http://www.who.int/csr/en/
Foreign & Commonwealth Office web site (advice for travellers to specific countries): http://www.fco.gov.uk
Source: Health Protection Agency
NHS
Direct 0845 46 47 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
