Posted on 12/19/2003 4:43:43 AM PST by torstars
Sudden death raises SARS fear
Published: December 18, 2003
By MATTHEW D. LaPLANTE Of the News-Register
A McMinnville woman's sudden death at Willamette Valley Medical Center, following a trip to China, has state and local health officials investigating the possibility of SARS. However, the same officials say the likelihood of the disease is slim.
"We are considering SARS testing. We are having discussion with people trying to make sure they know this has crossed our minds," said Paul Cieslak, manager of the state Department of Human Services' communicable disease program. "But right now, it's so very unlikely."
Cieslak said the woman, a 52-year-old who lived in McMinnville, returned from Shanghai on Sunday with a mild cough.
"Rather precipitously, she developed trouble breathing," he said. "Medics were called, they took her to the emergency department and she died."
Cieslak said the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked all state health agencies to be on the lookout for pneumonia in people who recently traveled to China. "She did just get back from China, and so they've asked us to pay special attention to this," he said.
But Cieslak and others emphasized the woman's symptoms were only partially indicative of SARS.
In general, SARS begins with a fever greater than 100. It is often associated with headaches, bodyaches and an overall feeling of discomfort or malaise.
Some people also experience mild respiratory symptoms. After two to seven days, patients may develop a dry cough and have trouble breathing.
Cieslak said there have been no recent cases of SARS in the area in China in which the woman traveled, and she never complained of fever, so health officials would be looking at other causes first.
Per state rules, specimens for investigation of SARS cases are to be sent to James Terry at the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory in Portland.
Terry said this morning that he had not received any word of a potential SARS case so far. "Right now, we're in the midst of flu season, and that kills more people than anyone else," he said.
However, Robert Moore of the Yamhill County Health Department said flu had already been ruled out. Still, he said that is not necessarily cause for alarm.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsregister.com ...
Also international passengers are asked to complete a medical form which is clearly aimed at SARS.
Don't know if any of it is effective or not, but of several Asian airports SGN was the only one taking these measures.
Passengers also had to fill out a yellow form that asked your seat number, among other things aimed at SARS prevention.
"Just died", nothing to see here.
Don't know about you but I don't know anyone who has "just died" but it seems to be nearing epidemic.
The scanners are not effective at all. Last year I think 30 million were screened in Hong Kong. High numbers at Singapore, Toronto, etc. Number of SARS cases detected at all locations was zero. In Hong Kong, the questionnaire identified 2 cases. The scanning is just to make passengers feel safer and let governments say they are doing something.
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