Press
Release
|
| For More Information Contact: | For Immediate Release |
| Julie Armstrong, Deputy Public Information Officer | Date: 04/15/2003 |
| Phone: (937) 642-2053 | |
| Fax: (937) 642-3047 |
Basic Information about SARS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating
a new disease called severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The disease
was first reported among people in the Guangdong Province (China), Hanoi
(Vietnam), and Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China). It
has since spread to other countries, including the United States.
As of April 13, 193 suspected cases of SARS had been reported in the United States. Ten cases have been identified in Ohio. No Union County cases have been identified but the Union County Health Department is monitoring information from local health care providers and state public health officials.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC have not confirmed any specific causes for SARS. The symptoms of SARS include dry cough, fever (100.5 F. or higher) and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing developing on or after Feb. 1, 2003, in persons who have recently traveled or had close contact with those who have traveled to China, Singapore or Vietnam.
Anyone who is experiencing these symptoms, has recently traveled to China,
Singapore or Vietnam or has had close contact with such people should
seek medical attention and inform doctors of their travel history. Additional
information on SARS is available on the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/
or contact the Union County Health Department at (937) 642-0801 ext. 21.
|