Reuters THE MINISTRY of Health continues to place on alert medical and emergency services, as the number of people infected with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) climbs in parts of Asia and North America.
Dr. Marion Bullock-Ducasse, director of disaster management and special services in the Health Ministry, said yesterday that there were no cases of the SARS virus in the island. However, health officials remain on alert in the event of a possible outbreak.
Dr. Bullock-Ducasse has sought to assure the country that the Health Ministry is capable of handling any possible outbreak of SARS.
"If any patient has signs and symptoms matching the case definition, then we start a process of investigation of the patient, as well as getting the necessary travel history and ensuring that we identify the persons (the patient) could have been in contact with," Dr. Bullock-Ducasse explained.
MEASURES IN PLACE
She noted that the procedures and measures that have been put in place by the Health Ministry are in keeping with those prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Last week Thursday, the nation got a scare when a woman was taken to the St. Ann's Bay Hospital with what was described as "SARS-like" symptoms. She has since been cleared of having the virus and has been treated and released.
Although there are no travel restrictions placed against any country, Dr. Bullock-Ducasse said the public has been advised to delay travel to affected countries.
