Press Releases
Update (III) On Atypical Pneumonia Cases In Singapore
16 March 2003
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16 Mar 2003
The World Health Organisation has revised the name of this disease to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). SARS is an atypical pneumonia for which the cause has not yet been determined.
Four new patients with SARS have been admitted since the MOH Press Release yesterday. As at 16 March 2003, we have a total of 20 patients of SARS. Other than the initial three cases, there are an additional 17 patients who have been admitted to hospital. All these have been in close contact with patients of SARS. Ten are family members and friends, and seven are hospital staff who had attended to the patients when they were first admitted to the hospitals. All these patients are stable. Patients are being isolated and the hospital staff have been informed to observe enhanced infection control procedures when attending to suspected cases.
The Ministry advises you to seek immediate medical attention if you have:
- Fever (>38 degrees Celsius) and respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath or breathing difficulty;
AND
- have travelled to Hong Kong, Hanoi or Guangdong province in China, within 2 weeks of onset of the symptoms;
OR
- are a close contact of persons diagnosed with SARS. (Close contact means having cared for, having lived with, or having had direct contact with respiratory secretions and body fluids of a person with SARS)
As a precautionary measure, the Ministry strongly advises you to avoid travel to Hong Kong, Hanoi and Guangdong province in China for the time being, unless absolutely necessary.
Related links:
Factsheets:
(a) Measures Taken To Control the Outbreak in Singapore