Frequently
asked questions:
1. What
is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)?
SARS
is the term being used to describe a serious respiratory illness which
has recently been reported in parts of East and South East Asia, Canada
(Toronto). It has now been reported from over 20 countries in the
world. All these cases have been associated with travelers and their
close contacts (mainly health care workers) returning from Hong Kong,
China, Singapore and Vietnam. The only countries/areas where the disease
has spread to any degree are Hong Kong, Vietnam, China, Singapore
and Canada. All the other outbreaks have been quickly controlled by
good public health and infection control measures.
2. 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 of pneumonia
also occur.
3. How contagious
is SARS?
Based
on currently available evidence, close contact with an infected person
poses the highest risk of spread from one person to another. 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. The principal way SARS appears to be spread is through droplet
transmission; when someone sick with SARS coughs or sneezes droplets
into the air and someone else breathes them in. It is possible that
SARS can be spread from objects that have become contaminated.
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. There is NO evidence at
this stage that it is spread by casual contact.
4. Can SARS be spread from touching contaminated objects
or surfaces?
It
is possible that SARS could be spread when a person touches a contaminated
object or surface; how often this might happen, or if it happens at
all, is not known at this time. Previously identified coronaviruses
(scientists have reported that a new
cororavirus may be the cause of SARS) have been shown to survive in
the environment for as long as 3 hours. To reduce the overall risk
for infection by touching contaminated objects and surfaces, It is
recommended that people wash their hands thoroughly and often with
soap and water.
5. I’ve heard that SARS is fatal?
The vast majority of people who get
SARS do well and are discharged from the hospital. A much smaller
number of people become quite ill, and world-wide about 3% of the
patients with SARS have died. Many of the people who have died have
had other chronic illnesses like heart disease, chronic bronchitis,
kidney disease.
6. What
is the treatment for SARS?
Antibiotics and
antiviral drugs are being used to treat the illness, but there is
no specific treatment at the present time.
7. How fast
does SARS spread?
SARS
is less infectious than influenza. The incubation period is believed
to be short, around 2-7, exceptionally 13 days. The speed of international
travel does, however, create a risk that cases can rapidly spread
around the world.
8. Is there
a vaccine for this illness?
No,
a vaccine is not available. The germ causing SARS has only just been
identified.
9.
What is the cause of this disease?
WHO
is coordinating an international multi-centre research project to expedite
identification of the causative agent. Eleven top laboratories in ten
countries are consulting daily and are working together to identify
the cause of the outbreak. A type of germ called a coronavirus (SARS
virus) is thought to be the cause. Diagnostic tests are being developed
for it. Once this virus is definitely identified as the cause we will
be able to learn more about how it is spread.
Is
there a test for SARS?
No
"test" is available yet for SARS; however, CDC, in collaboration
with WHO and other laboratories, has developed 2 research tests that
appear to be very promising in detecting antibodies to the new coronavirus.
CDC is working to refine and share this testing capability as soon
as possible with laboratories across the United States and internationally.
1.
How many cases of SARS have been reported to date?
For
the latest number reported cases worldwide, please refer to the WHO
website at <http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/>.
2.
Could this result from bioterrorism?
There
is no evidence to indicate that SARS is linked to bioterrorism.
3.
What should I do if I am planning to travel to Hong Kong, Singapore,
Thailand, Vietnam, China, or other areas in South East Asia?
At
the moment WHO advises people to postpone travel to the worst affected
areas (Hong Kong and Guandong Province of China). You may also wish
to delay travel to the other areas where the disease is still occurring
(Singapore, Canada, Taiwan). The best advice is to be aware of the
symptoms of this illness, particularly if you have recently traveled
in Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam (Hanoi), China (Taiwan, Beijing,
Guangdong, Shanxi), Canada (Toronto) and seek medical advice should
you develop them within 14 days of your return. Latest information
is available on the WHO website at <http://www.who.int/health_topics/travel/en/>.
4. What
should I do if I have recently returned from South East Asia and feel
unwell?
If
you have recently returned (within the past 14 days) from any of the
affected countries above 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, please contact your medical adviser. While arranging this
you should take precautions to protect your family and friends such
as covering your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, washing
your hands afterwards and minimizing your contact with other people.
5. I've
heard of cases of SARS in Fiji – can you confirm this?
There
have been no confirmed cases of SARS in Fiji. But the Fiji MOH is
prepared and has taken a number of actions to protect the population
of Fiji.
What can I do to protect myself and my family?
