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Friday, May 16, 2003
1st confirmed Sars case in Britain: official (9:35 am)
LONDON -- A Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) case has been confirmed in Britain for the first time, British health officials said on Thursday, stressing that there was no risk of the patient infecting others.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the patient, whose identity and location was not revealed, was no longer considered in danger, and there was no risk that they had passed the disease to anyone else.
The patient was one of eight people in all who have been classified as probable Sars cases in Britain since the outbreak of the virus. Four people have been removed from the list to date, leaving three probables and the confirmed case announced on Thursday.
There have been no previous cases of confirmed Sars in the country.
"Although we now have fewer probable Sars cases in the United Kingdom, it is essential that health care professionals and travelers are still aware of the symptoms of Sars," the head of the HPA's respiratory virus unit, Maria Zambon, said.
"The key to preventing the spread of this disease is recognizing cases quickly, isolating patients and following up their contacts," she added. AFP
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