Canada fears third wave of SARS

Boston Globe Online ^ | June 10, 2003 | Colin Nickerson

[Judith Anne]

MONTREAL -- Weary Canadian public health doctors sought yesterday to determine whether a new outbreak of SARS has erupted in greater Toronto, where 33 people have died of the flulike virus and the medical system in the country's biggest metropolis is straining under the burden of the disease.

[Judith Anne]

Thanks to aristeides for the link.

[Judith Anne]

ping

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

I still don't think the U.S. public is aware of how deadly this is...mostly because of disinformation. The same cycle repeats itself. The public is not informed, disaster strikes, then the public wants anyone and everyone held accountable. Individuals are selected and raked over the coals while the REAL perpetrators walk (or run) away.

[Beck_isright]

No one in the US will become aware until the disease spreads throughout our population. In the mean time, look for bogus causes of death, misleading information, and the usual from the CDC.

[Truth29]

Thanks for the ping. Each time Toronto officials try to sound optimistic, there seems to be a new outbreak. This continues the pattern of denial of a broader problem and also continual exortations to travel to Toronto. IMHO, local officials are downplaying the danger to promote travel and tourism. They are thereby putting additional people at risk.

I am coming to the conculsion that I should not travel to Toronto unless there is a LONG period of no new reported SARS cases.

[Judith Anne]

I am coming to the conculsion that I should not travel to Toronto unless there is a LONG period of no new reported SARS cases.

I think by the time that happens, there will be many more US cases...

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

Thanks for the ping.

I have a four hour layover in the Toronto airport on Friday on my way to Europe. Should I huddle in a corner somewhere and throw a blanket over my head? ;^)

Seriously, though, are there ANY viable precautions one can take, aside from prayer?

[Judith Anne]

Wash your hands a LOT, and don't touch your face.

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

Thanks....I will do that...and pray!

If this IS the Pale Horse, or the birth pangs thereof, then that is all we can do anyway....

I was concerned when West Nile broke out, slightly more concerned when SARS broke out, and now this monkeypox thing? Do our health officials have a plan to protect us from this sort of thing? It really is beginning to get a little freaky....

[mitchbert]

Seriously, though, are there ANY viable precautions one can take, aside from prayer?

Yes. Stay out of hospitals. That's where the infections have been occuring. It's not out in the community as far as anyone has been able to discern.

[math=power]

They often refer to the 20th century as the century of war...I firmly believe the 21st century will be refered to as the century of disease. Humans and animals are to densly populated and the interconnectedness of all of us leads to rapid spread of any pathogen. Our antibiotics are next to useless and most of the world is either corpulent or starving, not to mention the level of promiscuity and natural desire of governments to hide actual information. What do you expect?

[flutters]

Is there a website where we can compare current death rates for influenza and pneumonia to previous death rates? Or is that information only compiled and released once a year? Anyone know???

[Jim Noble]

Do our health officials have a plan to protect us from this sort of thing?

Here's the PLAN (CDC May 14, 2003):

Thousands of people arrive in the United States from areas where SARS outbreaks are occurring to participate in gatherings such as academic courses, business meetings, or sporting events. Guidance is needed to provide a consistent, rational approach to SARS prevention without unnecessarily stigmatizing these groups or interfering with collegial pursuits, commerce, and other important activities. At this time, CDC does not recommend canceling or postponing classes, meetings or other gatherings that will include persons traveling to the United States from areas with SARS.

[TaxRelief]

Seriously, though, are there ANY viable precautions one can take, aside from prayer?

Wash your hands a LOT, and don't touch your face...

Just reading up about norovirus: Like SARS, it also lives on surfaces for several days. It also is shed through fecal matter for up to 2 weeks after recovery.

The bottom line is: People who are feeling better are walking disease spreaders.

So, learn to keep your hands away from your face. Teach your children to keep their hands away from their faces. Wash and sanitize!

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

Thanks! I am beginning to take all of this a lot more seriously....

[aristeides]

I think it might also be a good idea to avoid using the toilets, if you can.

[TaxRelief]

This is a great starting point for mortality rate information. Note: "vector borne = from animals or insects."

[TaxRelief]

Avoiding toilets is a good idea, but not always possible. Perhaps it would be better to have a public restroom plan: If the bathroom smells "ill" do a u-turn. Touch nothing. Flush with foot if possible. Turn faucets off with paper towels. Use shirt tail, if necessary, to exit bathroom. Sanitize as soon as you exit, (before you pull your keys out of your pocket). And so on.

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

OK, Thanks! I'll bring one of these along....;^)

[IvanT]

One other thing is it would be nice if we could get some warm weather up here, so far it's been fairly cold this spring. We've had maybe 1 or 2 days of over 20 degree weather, which is 70 in American. Most of the time we're hovering in the low 50's - Farenheit speaking.