Press Release!!
PRESS RELEASE NO 11
22nd May, 2003
UPDATE ON GLOBAL OUTBREAK OF SARS
Thirty- two countries (as of May 21st) are reporting cases of
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). At least 4 countries are
continuing to experience local viral transmission. The cumulative number of
SARS cases reported from 1st November 2002 to 21st May 2003 is 7956. Of
this number, 666 people have died (mainly in China –296, Hong Kong SAR –
255, Taiwan – 52, Singapore - 28 and Canada – 23) and 4085 have recovered.
Since the last Press Release of 2nd May, NO new cases of
suspected SARS have been reported in Fiji. The Ministry of Health is still
on high alert for SARS as people are continuing to travel from countries
reporting SARS.
Airport and seaport surveillance is being assessed and
strengthened. A one-day Training/Workshop for surveillance and quarantine
officers from major ports of entry has been conducted in Nadi and in
Nausori over the last 2 weeks. Constant contact and consultation with the
World Health Organization are maintained to monitor new developments.
In preparation for the South Pacific Games (SPG), information
on SARS will be made available in the medical handbook being prepared for
the teams, printed information leaflets will also be available for all
visitors, athletes and spectators, and guidelines/training on managing a
suspected case will be provided to the paramedics.
The travel advisory continues to be the same “that all
non-essential travel to countries reporting new cases of SARS should be
delayed or cancelled until further review”. These countries currently are
China, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan and Singapore. The travel advisory is reviewed
on a daily basis. If travelling is necessary then all precautions are to be
taken before and during travel and after returning to the country.
Travellers from countries reporting new cases of SARS, (namely China, Hong
Kong – SAR, Chinese Taipei and Singapore) need to be under surveillance for
at least 10 days of arrival. If the traveller is exposed to the SARS virus,
then the immediate relatives, friends and loved ones are most likely to get
infected. Voluntary isolation or avoidance of close contact with friends
and relatives for 10 days is strongly advisable.
Furthermore, all citizens and visitors who arrive from
countries reporting new cases of SARS, will be on the Ministry of Health
surveillance list. The Ministry of Health is requesting full co-operation
from visitors and returning citizens in reporting any symptoms of high
fever, cough or shortness of breath. There are announcements on the
aircraft as well as in the terminal building for air travellers and a
Health Desk in the airport immigration area for people to obtain
information and other support. Quarantine Officers are providing this help
and support at the seaports.
These citizens and visitors should know that if they have the
SARS virus, their immediate family members and friends could be the first
to be infected should they become ill and are late in seeking medical
assistance.
Dr. Margaret
Cornelius
Acting Director
of Public Health
For Acting
Permanent Secretary for Health
