Spread of virus

[Squat]

Keep an eye on this. It could be very big.
DomRep airports should already be screening/and taking
precautions at airports. Spread of virus is approx 40%
a day, death rate 5%.

Could ground all aircraft and empty anywhere people
gather, restaurants, cinemas, hotels, etc. I've been
working on it for three days and don't like the
numbers. You should (perhaps) mention the threat on
DR1 to get the Gov moving on this. If it gets into the
DR it will spread like wildfire; transportation,
kissing, hugging, etc.

Be wary of anyone from Canada/Toronto with flu
symptoms. Major outbreak there.

[hollywood north]

Before you get everyone running scared you should know that there is NOT a major outbreak happening here in Toronto or Canada. It has really been contained, and poses no real threat to travellers coming to Canada, nor are people leaving the country to 'spread the infection"!!

Health agencies, hospitals and airports have put appropriate precautions in place so that the spread is minimal. So far is has been contained with the Asian/Southeast Asian community and was spread by people coming back from Hong Kong, Vietnam, Guangdong.

This is anopther example of CNN and other media blowing something out of proportion so exponentially. Please do not scaremonger.

And your stats - four people have died here out of 129 SUSPECTED cases of SARS. That hardly counts as a MAJOR outbreak in a city of over four million people.

I believe a regular bout of Flu that makes it's way through any city has higher mortality rates.

I work in an office building with many people of Asian descent - those of us here do not feel the need to quarantine oursleves or wear masks.

[AnnaC]

HN is right. Let's not panick. The people in Toronto that have been affected are hospital employees that were in contact with a couple of people that brought it back from Hong Kong. Anyone that has visited the hospital in question have been quarantined. The hospital has been closed and no visitors are allowed in.

[Helen]

I had planned a trip with my son to HK & Guangdong in June and now had to cancel because of all the hysteria surrounding this whole issue. Granted that there is a real health problem which seem to have originated from Asia, I don't think that calling it an epidemic is right on target.
Now I have parents who are freaking out at the thought of their grandson travelling to a disease/SARs infected area - never mind that everything could be contained by the time I am supposed to leave. Now I find myself at loose ends with my son for those 3 weeks. Maybe, we should just take off for the DR to join the get-together on the 19th! Now - how's that for scaring everyone!? 2 asians heading the way of the DR - Watch out! they could be SARs carriers! ARrrrrrgh!

[Hillbilly]

Hope to see you the 19th...

HB

[Ken]

Originally posted by Helen Now - how's that for scaring everyone!? 2 asians heading the way of the DR - Watch out! they could be SARs carriers!

As long as you and your son wear your face masks, Helen, there should be no problem for you in the DR.

Epidemic may not yet be the right word but I personally see no reason not to treat it as aggressively as possible, if only to prevent it from becoming a full blown epidemic. Once they have the virus causing the illness identified and a treatment available in sufficient quantities, then much of the anxiety surrounding the illness is going to abate.

As far as a trip to China is concerned, I think you were wise to cancel. Although Hong Kong seems to be aggressively attacking the disease, from all reports Mainland China is doing nothing. In fact the travel advisory that previously covered only Hong Kong and Guangdong Province has now been expanded to include all of Mainland China.

[mobrouser]

squat, if you are looking for accurate information especially regarding Toronto and SARS then try this link . i don't believe your concern to be scaremongering at all.

mob

[Squat]

The outbreak has prompted panic buying of masks and
health-care workers have complained that the Canadian
government is not doing enough to secure supplies.

"Ontario's commissioner of public security, Dr. James
Young, said on Monday the province has ordered as many
masks as possible but limited supplies means it has to
distribute them on the basis of risk.

"That, unfortunately, doesn't mean that we can give
everyone in society a mask right now. Nor do we think
that everyone needs a mask right now," he said.

Thousands of people who visited two Toronto-area
hospitals before the outbreak was identified have been
asked to quarantine themselves for 10 days."

Source: Reuters April 1st.

[Squat]

According to WHO, on March 19th there were 264 cases
of SARS worldwide. On April 1st, there were 1800. In
Toronto yesterday there were 53 cases, with 9 new
cases reported today. I will be very happy to be
proved wrong on this. I hope Holly feels the same.

[Squat]

http://www.macleans.ca/xta-doc2/2003...th/57582.shtml

I have just recieved information that the WHO have
requested the Canadians screen ALL passengers leaving
Canada for possible SARS.

With stuff like this, the wise man acts first,
discusses later. The DR, needs to take this VERY
seriously.