I just read the best and most detailed article so far on SARS, and it certainly paints a scary picture, especially about how China has handled the crisis. Here’s a small excerpt:
China’s Ministry of Health still says that there is no evidence that the disease can be acquired in Beijing. What is clear, though, is that Chinese doctors knew a lot about SARS long before it had a name or had left China’s borders, and chose not to share that information for many months. After the initial spate of outbreaks, doctors fully understood that they were dealing with a new and potentially fatal disease that spread far more easily than ordinary atypical pneumonias.
And now, when they try to tell us everything is “under control,” the Chinese government wonders why nobody believes them.
[UPDATE: For an even scarier article, go here.]
My friend over at the Gweilo Diaries is definitely of the mind that people are way over-reacting, and that’s certainly true — to an extent. Wearing a surgical mask outdoors, for instance, is certainly an over-reaction, as the virus is spread by closer, more intimate contact/proximity than we have with fellow pedestrians on the street. But there is definitely a cause for concern, if not alarm; new cases are still spiking, and I remember how AIDS appeared to be such a tiny, isolated phenomenon back in the early 1980s, and suddenly….
Like China, HK is frantically trying to calm down the panicked populace. At the risk of boring everyone to tears, here’s what I just received from the American Chamber of Commerce:
AmCham-Hong Kong representatives just attended an International Business Committee meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary. He advised us that resolution of this problem is HKG’s number one priority. Dr. Margaret Chan gave an excellent presentation on SARS. She reviewed the cronology of events, statistics, symptoms, linkages with other areas, measures taken by the Department of Health and World Health Organization, prevention and treatment. The HKG will forward a soft copy of the presentation to all attendees for further dissemination as appropriate. Some of the key points:
* low case fatality – of 734 total cases in HK there have been 17 deaths or 2.3% of the total, as compared to a usual rate of 10 to 15% for this type of problem
* of the 17 SARS related deaths in Hong Kong, 65% were over age 65 and 82% were already suffering from chronic illness
* of the 17 deaths only 3 had no medical complications, however, these were patients who delayed coming in for treatment
* early treatment is imperative – if unattended 8 days the problem can take a sharp turn for the worse
* the majority of cases were hospital workers, families and patients with close contacts, however, sporadic cases represent about 20% of the total
* the treatment that has been developed is effective
* the epidemic curve suggests that SARS cases in HK are coming down and are under control
* HKG has been completely transparent and is working closely with the WHO
* casual contact with people, such as at fairs or luncheons, is not a risk
Facts:
* outbreak was caused by a new virus
* close contact with a victim is required for transmission
* no evidence at this time of airborne transmission
* incubation is 2 to 7 days, up to 10 days
* healthcard workers and family members are at higher risk
Prevention:
* if you do not feel well or have a cold WEAR A SURGICAL MASK!
* do not shake hands, touch your face, rub your eyes or give a “hugging” kiss
* do not keep the office or home too cold – at higher tempature the virus is less active (warm weather will kill the virus)
* wash your hands frequently
* diluted household bleach will kill the virus wider community.
Progress:
* community education has been strengthered to increase public awareness of the disease, the symptoms and ways of prevention
* disease survelilance system and public health control measures SARS are in place
* rapid diagnostic test for patients in the early stage of illness is now available
* there is treatment for the disease, and the vast majority of patients can recover
Key messages from the Department of Health:
* HONG KONG IS SAFE FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AS WELL AS VISITORS
* HONG KONG HAS HIGH QUALITY MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES
* TRAVELLERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE AND PERSONS WITH THOSE SYMPTOMS SHOULD NOT TRAVEL UNTIL THEY HAVE RECOVERED
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