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Monday, May 12, 2003
Not Sars: Docs diagnose FA’s illness
By Mia E. Abellana
THE flight attendant earlier suspected to be infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) and her one-year-old son who manifested Sars symptoms are already out of the hospital.
According to Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Junjie Zuasula, the mother and son were discharged from North General Hospital in Talamban, Cebu City Saturday afternoon after their X-rays showed they did not have pneumonia.
However, Zuasula said SC (real name withheld for her privacy) and her son should remain at home for seven days for observation, in case there is a recurrence of fever.
If nothing else happens after that, it will be safe for them to go out.
SC’s family members who were also quarantined after she was classified as a suspected case have not manifested any symptoms of Sars.
SC’s husband, father, mother, brother, two helpers and a companion were placed under quarantine after SC and her son were admitted to the hospital for observation.
Her son was not classified as a suspected case because he did not have a history of travel, but he was ruled in as a suspected Sars case after manifesting symptoms.
Zuasula has yet to receive a detailed diagnosis of SC and her son’s condition, but was glad to announce that they were already home.
Worldwide, Sars has killed at least 534 persons and infected more than 7,000, with close to 5,000 of these cases reported in China.
A cure remains elusive for atypical pneumonia, and elderly patients already suffering from other ailments are particularly vulnerable.
Talisay ready
In Talisay City, City Health Officer Dr. Lino Alanzado is expected to meet RC (real name withheld) tomorrow.
RC, 20, who arrived from Hong Kong last May 3, caused a stir among her neighbors in Lawaan I when they found out she arrived from Hong Kong and went around town without putting herself under quarantine.
RC, however, did not manifest any symptoms of Sars.
Lawaan I Councilor Jonathan Tumulak earlier said the residents were worried when they heard about RC’s arrival.
RC flew to Hong Kong to meet her American pen pal last April and returned to the country last May 3.
She told Tumulak that since she was cleared at the airport, she saw no need to confine herself at home.
Since her arrival, RC has been to the mall, church and a school.
Alanzado said Mayor Eduardo Gullas has ordered the city’s special committee for Sars to stock up on personal protective equipment so that they could be ready to handle suspected Sars patients.
He said, though, that RC remains healthy and that there was no cause for alarm. He added that the rest of her family had no signs of Sars.
Zuasula earlier said that as long as RC did not have any Sars symptoms, there was no danger of transmission.
(May 12, 2003 issue)
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