SARS and MP

[kwong_1978]

IMHO, the whole SARS paranoia is beginning to get out of hand. I’ve been receiving emails telling me to avoid certain establishments due to an infected employee. They’re spreading faster than electronic viruses. I am not talking about MPs or Asian SPs. What I am talking about, are restaurants, malls, doctor’s offices, etc. Unsubstantiated rumours is feeding the paranoia.

I read an article in the newspaper how a popular Chinese restaurant is losing $1000s everyday because people are avoiding the mentioned eatery. I hope the person that started this malicious rumour will get his/hers. I believe in karma.

BTW, I have not change my daily life/routine one iota.

 

[xarir]

An excerpt from the Infectious Disease Society of America letter to members [edited]


Epidemiology:
This epidemic apparently started in Guongdong Province in Southern China. Several cases have occurred in travelers to this area. An "impressive" cluster has been linked to one hotel in Hong Kong. A physician from Guongdong visited Hong Kong for a wedding on 21 Feb 2003, and stayed one night at this hotel. 12 other cases have been linked to this hotel; 9 of the 12 stayed on the same floor. These cases were then responsible for secondary clusters in Toronto, Hanoi, Singapore, and further cases at 3 Hong Kong hospitals. It is my understanding that this floor is a "smoking floor" of the hotel, which may be of interest with regard to transmission.

At least 200 cases have occurred in Hong Kong, and transmission has been documented from patients to healthcare workers to healthcare worker's families, and most recently into the schools in that area. WHO is currently investigating 456 cases, including 17 deaths in 16 countries. This total does not include any from China.

In the United States, CDC is currently investigating 40 cases that meet the case definition in 18 states. The age range is 7 years to 78 years. 16 of these cases were hospitalized, and one patient was placed on mechanical ventilation but has since recovered. There have been no deaths attributed to SARS in the United States to date. At least 10 of the cases had documented pneumonia by chest x-ray. 2 of the cases occurred in health care workers and 4 have been in family contacts.

 

[xarir]

One more point - as of 27 March 2003, 12h00 GMT the official worldwide count (from WHO) was 1323 confirmed cases of SARS with 49 deaths.

Country: Cumulative no. case(s)/ No. deaths/ Local transmission*
Canada: 19/ 3/ Yes
China, Guangdong Province+: 792/ 31/ Yes
China, Hong Kong SAR: 316/ 10**/ Yes
China, Taiwan: 6/ 0/ Yes
France: 1/ 0/ None
Germany: 4/ 0/ None
Italy: 3/ 0/ None
Republic of Ireland: 2/ 0/ None
Singapore: 74/ 1/ Yes
Switzerland: 2/ 0/ To be determined
Thailand: 3/ 0/ None
United Kingdom: 3/ 0/ None
United States: 40 ?/ 0/ To be determined
Viet Nam: 58/ 4/ Yes

Total: 1323/ 49


49 out of 1323 is roughly a 3.7% mortality rate. While not insignificant it is nonetheless much lower than other types of diseases.

The biggest issue from a medical standpoint is that SARS may be viable through airborne transmission. Ultimately this is the point that has health officials most worried. Having said that, the mortality numbers point towards the assumption that even if SARS is an airborne disease, the range of transmission is likely short range. So unless someone coughs directly on you and you don't immediately wash the affected area, the chances of contracting SARS are probably quite low.

Basically if you take normal precautions, you should be OK.

 

[nyyla]

SARS

I would just like to make a point about what I have found in my readings, SARS can last up to Four Hours on such things as elevator buttons. If someone is infected and lets say he/she coughs or sneezes the virus is able to live up to four hours on such items.

I am not at all saying to stay away from such things because honestly that is getting a little out of hand IMHO

However to the people that are worried about it, let them be. If they chose not to go out or to certain places isn't that their perogative??

I just wish everyone to be safe and healthy and just be careful. Although the mortality rate is low that doesn't mean someone wants to be in that percentile let alone be bed ridden for 10 days and feel like crap.

JMHO

Nyyla


www.executive-choice.com

 

[R 2 D 2]

Just to have you guys know that the number that WHO is reporting is not the actual number. I know from a VERY reliable doctor in China who said that he knows of atleast 200+ people who died of this disease and WHO is reporting something like 30+ death in China.

Keep in mind China is a commnunist country and lots of information is being sealed in. True, you shouldn't let this thing take over your life, but then again, you must not give yourself in. Just take precaution and atleast do things that you have control over e.g. wash hands, stay away from ppl who are coughing/sneezing etc. etc.

Just common sense.

R2D2

 

[Bill4r]

The INFO are very help

I find the INFO provided very helpful.

I would like to thank everyone for his/her contribution(s).

Play safe and take care

 

[The Fruity Hare]

If you only have to be wary of people coughing or sneezing on you, are you trying to tell me that all 1300 or so of those infected had someone cough or sneeze on them??? While I am not overly concerned just yet, I believe being in a crowded place in close proximity to an infected person(ie: the subway) should be enough for the virus to be transmitted. I don't think all those infected health care workers were coughed or sneezed on.

 

[21pro]

can i come out now?