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March 19, 2003
HONOLULU— The Hawaii State Department of Health has stepped up
surveillance and monitoring efforts in response to warnings from the
World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) regarding the pneumonia like illness known as Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS.
"The department is investigating a suspect case that, at this point,
appears unlikely to be SARS, said Paul Effler, M.D., State
Epidemiologist. "With the increased surveillance we anticipate
investigating many more suspect cases, but we want to reassure the
public that there are no confirmed cases of SARS in Hawaii at this time
and that all possible precautions are being exercised."
The case in question was reported to the CDC because it meets the
case definition for suspect SARS. The individual had traveled to Hong
Kong in late February and was hospitalized for fever and mild
respiratory symptoms upon returning to Hawaii. The person in question
has fully recovered and their family suffered no illness related to
this episode.
SARS appears to have an incubation period of 2-7 days and suspect
cases must meet the following criteria:
- Fever higher than 100.4°F AND
- One or more respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of
breath, difficulty in breathing AND
- Either close contact with a person diagnosed with SARS or recent
travel to areas with documented transmission of SARS.
"We would like to assure the public that the Department of Health is
collaborating with Hawaii’s health care providers to identify,
investigate, and isolate any possible cases of SARS which may occur in
Hawaii," said Chiyome Fukino, M.D. State Director of Health. "It is
encouraging that the medical community is responding proactively to
this event and that the enhanced surveillance measures in place seem to
be working."
As of March 19 there have been 254 suspected cases worldwide. The
vast majority of SARS cases have been reported from Vietnam, Hong Kong,
Southern China, and Singapore with fewer cases identified in Canada,
Taiwan, Thailand, Germany, the United Kingdom and Slovenia. Cases
appear to primarily involve health-care workers caring for patients
with SARS and close family contacts.
The CDC is working closely with WHO and the international community
in efforts to define the etiology of this infection, to track patterns
of its transmission, and to determine effective strategies for its
control and prevention. At the present time, a CDC travel advisory
recommends that persons with elective or non-essential travel to Hong
Kong, Guangdong Province and Hanoi, Vietnam consider postponing such
travel.
Detailed information is also available through the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention at 1(888) 246-2675 or www.cdc.gov and via the World
Health Organization web site at www.who.int.
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For more information, contact:
Janice Okubo
Communications Director
Phone: (808) 586-4442
E-mail: jsokubo@health.state.hi.us
Laura M. Lott
Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 586-4418
E-mail: lmlott@health.state.hi.us
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