Philippine
Consulate Urges Filipinos To Take
Precautionary Measures Against SARS
Following the consular corps
briefing on the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) conducted by Hong Kong health authorities yesterday, the Philippine
Consulate General would like to advise the Filipino community in Hong Kong to pay
special attention to their health and take precautionary measures against possible
respiratory infection.
PCG learned that, as of 18 March 2003, a total of 123 patients, mainly hospital staff,
medical students and patients' relatives/friends have been admitted to various
hospitals after exhibiting one or more of the following SARS signs and symptoms:
> fever higher than 38°C
.
> myalgia (muscle pains)
> respiratory ailments (e.g., cough,
> dizziness
shortness of breath, difficulty
> confusion
breathing)
> loss of appetite
>
chills
> rash
>
malaise
> diarrhea
> headache
According to Health Director Dr. Margaret Chan, the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong is
limited to hospital settings, with "respiratory droplets" as the likely mode of
transmission. She was quick to point out, however, that the disease has not moved
onto the rest of the community as yet. The World Health Organization (WHO) has
observed that the disease is spread through close contact with an infected person.
It has not found evidence suggesting that the SARS can be acquired through casual
contact. In this connection, WHO defines "close contact" as having cared for, lived
with or direct contact with respiratory secretions and body fluids of a person with
SARS.
WHO further believes that there are no indications warranting restrictions on the
travel of healthy passengers at this time. Thus, it has not made any recommendation for people to restrict travel to any destination.
HK health authorities have not identified the etiology (agent) of the disease just yet.
It is working on the assumption that an ~rnerging new virus or a mutation of an
existing one has caused the outbreak. No influenza or bird flu virus was detected
among the patients. Thus far, treatments have been exploratory at best. Based on
the briefing, transmission is possible if an infected person so much as sneezes,
coughs or talks within three feet of a healthy person. While there is no cause for panic, PCG deems it prudent for the Filipino community to
take the following precautionary measures recommended by the HK health authorities to prevent respiratory tract infections:
-
Build up good body immunity by having a proper diet, regular exercise and
adequate rest, reducing stress and avoiding smoking.
-
Maintain good personal hygiene and wash hands after sneezing, coughing or
cleaning the nose.
-
Maintain good ventilation.
-
Avoid visiting crowded places with poor ventilation.
-
Do not sharing towels.
-
Consult a doctor promptly when main symptoms and signs of sARS occur (e.g.,
high fever of 38°C and above, presence of one or more respiratory symptoms
such as cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and close contact with a
person who has been diagnosed with SARS).
-
Patients and caregivers are advised to wear masks to reduce the chances of
transmission and infection, respectively.
Presently, the HK government is working closely with the WHO, the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention and local experts to identify the micro-organism
causing the disease. With its highly effective disease surveillance system and high
quality medical/public health services, Dr. Chan assured the consular corps that
Hong Kong is safe for local re$idents and visitors.
Further relevant information may be obtained from the following websites:
www.info.gov.hk/dh and www.who.int/rnediacentre .
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