WHO issues alert on new form of pneumonia
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2003 03:56:09 AM ]
NEW DELHI : The World Health Organisation (WHO)
has issued an emergency guideline for travellers and airlines,
regarding the spread of a severe form of pneumonia to several countries in a short span of time.
During the last one week, the WHO has received reports of more than
150 new suspected cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS),
an atypical pneumonia whose cause has not yet been determined.
Reports of the new form of pneumonia have been received from Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
One sick passenger and companions, coming from New York, were removed from their flight at Frankfurt and taken to hospital isolation.
"SARS is now a worldwide health threat," WHO director-general Gro Harlem Brundtland said. "The world needs to work together to find its cause, cure the sick and stop its spread."
While the WHO has not asked people to restrict travel, it has urged travellers to be aware of the main symptoms of this pneumonia, which include: high fever, one or more respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing. |
