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2003, March 18th, Hong Kong: Scientists in Hong Kong have isolated and identified a pneumonia virus that is believed to have killed at least 10 people and left hundreds ill around the world. Confirmed cases have been reported in Vietnam, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, Canada, Thailand; suspected cases have been seen in Australia, Britain, Indonesia, Spain, Switzerland, and the US. The disease causing virus seems to belong to the paramyxoviridae family, the same family of microbes that causes measles, mumps and canine distemper. The Hong Kong findings have yet to be corroborated by other laboratories working on the cause of the SARS cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend any medicine to best treat the illness; patients are to be provided with supportive therapy, as with most diseases caused by a virus. SARS begins with a high fever and dry cough that can lead to breathing difficulties and make the use of a respirator necessary. The number of suspected and confirmed cases is still growing. Due to the contagious nature of the disease, most cases have been contracted by health workers and their families, or by others in close contact with those who are ill. The outbreak is still not contained and the WHO has issued a rather rare worldwide alert. The best ways to limit further spread of the outbreak are to take serious precautions when in contact with the public, specifically in airports (i.e., airline personnel, customs & immigration officers, airport screeners), or when treating people (i.e., ambulance personnel, airport clinics, hospitals) suspected of having the illness. It is almost certain that the virus outbreak is a natural occurrence, similar to the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918 or the Hong Kong chicken or bird flu outbreak of 1997. The probability is extremely remote that the virus was intentionally produced and released in Southern China several months ago. More information, including more a detailed description of symptoms and most recent developments, can be found on our Website at <www.edmus.info>. Other resources include <www.cdc.gov> and <www.who.int>. Emergency &
Disaster Management, Inc. "Assisting
Clients Worldwide in Building Disaster/Terrorism Resistant Communities
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