Mysterious illness shows in Carolinas
Symptoms: Fever, respiratory problems
KAREN GARLOCH
Staff Writer
N.C. health officials have identified two possible cases -- the first in the Carolinas -- of the mysterious flu-like illness that recently appeared in people living in or traveling to Asia.
The N.C. cases from Wake and Orange counties are among 11 suspected cases that emerged in the United States since the first reports of illness from China only days ago...
...The illness, for which there is no treatment, has caused 14 deaths, including five who died months ago in an outbreak in China.
The worldwide number of cases, including the 11 suspected U.S. cases, now totals 264, according to the World Health Organization.
Most of those ill have been health-care workers in Singapore, Hong King and Vietnam. Though so far concentrated in East Asia, cases have cropped up as far away as Germany and Canada, spread by sick patients traveling along airline routes.
There were scattered reports on Wednesday of new suspected cases in Europe, all in patients who had traveled from Southeast Asia. Four people suspected of having the illness are hospitalized in France. A few probable cases have also turned up in England, Taiwan and Slovenia.
"This shows the situation is not under control yet, and we remain on maximum sanitary alert," the French health minister, Jean-Francois Mattei, said in Parliament.
The WHO said Wednesday it continues to receive reports about some patients recovering from the illness, which causes severe fever and breathing problems.
In North Carolina, both patients are receiving medical care and are in good condition, state health officials said. Citing patient confidentiality, they would not release the patients' names or ages.
Both exhibited symptoms of the syndrome and had traveled to or from Asian countries in the last 10 days. Close contacts and fellow travelers of the two people are being notified, and laboratory specimens have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing.
The syndrome can be deadly, so rapid identification and treatment is important, said State Health Director Leah Devlin. More...
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