Worldwide alert on flu like illness

A mysterious like illness which has claimed nine lives in three countries has triggered a rare warning of a "worldwide health threat". The disease is being spread by worldwide air travel. The sufferers are not responding to antibiotics or antivirals, and over 400 people have been affected by the outbreak.WHO in the past week has received reports of more than 150 new suspected cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), an atypical pneumonia for which cause has not yet been determined. Due to the spread of SARS to several countries in a short period of time, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued emergency guidance for travellers and airlines. Emergency alert was issued because of the speed at which the disease was travelling and because there was no known treatment. There is presently no recommendation for people to restrict travel to any destination. However in response to enquiries from various agencies and travellers, WHO is now offering guidance for travellers, airline crew and airlines. The exact nature of the infection is still under investigation and this guidance is based on the early information available to WHO. All travellers should be aware of main symptoms and signs of SARS which include:

• high fever (>38 degree C)
• one or more respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing
• close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with SARS
• recent history of travel to areas reporting cases of SARS.

Any traveller who develops these symptoms is advised not to undertake further travel until they have recovered. Should a passenger or crew member who meets the criteria above travel on a flight, the aircraft should alert the destination airport. On arrival the sick passenger should be referred to airport health authorities for assessment and management. All passengers and crew should be advised to seek medical attention if they develop the symptoms. As a general precaution the aircraft may be disinfected. In addition to fever and respiratory symptoms, SARS may be associated with other symptoms including: headache, muscular stiffness, loss of appetite, confusion, rash, and diarrhoea. Until more is known about the cause of these outbreaks, WHO recommends that patients with SARS be isolated with barrier nursing techniques and treated clinically. WHO recommends that any suspect cases be reported to national health authorities. WHO is in close communication with all national authorities and has also offered epidemiological, laboratory and clinical support. It is working with national authorities to ensure appropriate investigation, reporting and containment of these outbreaks.