JEDDAH, 14 April 2003 — With no cure or vaccine yet for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that is spreading particularly in Southeast Asia, all preliminary efforts are focusing on preventive measures and awareness campaigns.
In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Health has distributed a medical information kit about SARS, its symptoms, transmission, incubation period, treatment and precautionary measures in hospitals and in the community. The kit also includes information on dealing with suspected cases and urges citizens to immediately report any symptoms as the virus spreads very fast both airborne and through body fluids.
“Although there is no vaccine yet for SARS, there are supportive treatments and medication that can help with the symptoms,” Dr. Amin Mishkhas, director general of the Infectious Diseases Department at the Ministry of Health, told Arab News. Because the symptoms of SARS — high fever in excess of 38 degrees and respiratory difficulties — are similar to flu and pneumonia, people have been anxious, but Dr. Mishkhas confirmed there are no cases of SARS in the Kingdom.
SARS has been linked with international travel, and many victims have caught the virus from sitting next to an infected person while traveling. Some flight crew and health care providers who examined and treated those with SARS have also been infected. With that in mind, the Ministry of Health is issuing updates to all international airports on news about SARS and world travel.
The ministry has distributed to airports in the Kingdom regulations to be followed with travelers from the countries hit by the virus. The regulations include examining all incoming travelers from the countries most seriously affected by SARS and follow up on them every day for 10 days after entry; raising awareness among all travelers and urging them to seek treatment once they discover any of the symptoms; allocating two rooms to isolate any suspected cases, report any suspected cases, and direct all the health care providers at the airport and the employees at the passport and customs section who are in contact with travelers to wear masks and gloves.
“We have assigned hospitals that will be receiving any suspected cases from the airports and take all necessary measures, and to date we have not had any cases reported,” Dr. Mishkhas said.
The Presidency of Civil Aviation announced last Wednesday that passengers from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Vietnam will be prevented from entering the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has already advised its citizens against traveling to these countries since the killer virus that has claimed more than 100 lives worldwide, most of them in China (58) and Hong Kong (32).
According to the World Health Organization, there are now a total of 2,890 of reported cases around the world, with the highest numbers in China (1,300), Hong Kong (1,059), Singapore (133), Vietnam (62), the United States (166) and Canada (98).
The Ministry of Health is following any new developments through the websites of the WHO and the Center for Disease Control in the US. The WHO website has information on guidelines for hospital infection control and the management of SARS cases.
