Hawaii SARS Case Ruled Out by CDC

HONOLULU - Preliminary results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that the original suspect case of severe acute respiratory syndrome on Kauai was not SARS and as a result the Department of Health (DOH) expects to see related cases also removed.

DOH officials also reported one additional suspect case of SARS. The individual, a man from Shanghai, China arrived in Honolulu April 22. He was not ill at the time of travel but developed mild symptoms soon after. He is currently isolated at home and in stable condition.

"The good news is that this person sought medical attention early and that clinicians who treated him used appropriate disease control measures", said Paul Effler, State Epidemiologist. "We are pleased that the medical community is being proactive, but we want to urge the public to do their part and monitor their own health especially if they’ve been to infected regions".

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.

###

Laura M. Lott
Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 586-4418
E-mail: lmlott@health.state.hi.us