Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) | ||||
What is SARS? | ||||
Severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory infection caused by a coronavirus
(SARS-CoV). |
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What are the symptoms of SARS? | ||||
Symptoms usually appear
within 2 – 7 days after contracting the disease, but the incubation
period can be up to approximately 10 days. |
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The initial symptoms are
influenza-like. Patients with SARS usually begin with fever, which
is often high (38°C or above), and sometimes associated with chills,
rigors, headache, malaise, muscle pain or even diarrhoea. At the onset
of illness, some patients may only have mild respiratory symptoms.
After a few days, symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection may
follow, including cough without sputum and difficulty in breathing.
In around 10% of patients, the illness may rapidly progress to respiratory
failure requiring intensive medical care. Symptoms can be more variable
among elderly patients. |
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How is SARS diagnosed? | ||||
Several laboratory tests
can detect SARS-CoV, the virus that causes SARS. Some tests can detect
virus in clinical specimens, including respiratory secretions and
stool. Serological tests can detect antibodies to SARS-CoV which are
produced from around 10 days after onset of the illness. |
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How can SARS spread? | ||||
SARS is predominantly transmitted
through close person-to-person contact, especially via respiratory
droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Droplet
spread can take place when droplets from the cough or sneeze of an
infected person are propelled a short distance and deposited on the
mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes of persons who are nearby.
The virus can also spread when a person touches a surface or object
contaminated with infectious droplets and then touches his or her
mouth, nose, or eyes. |
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How is SARS treated? | ||||
The medical professionals
are working towards identifying an effective treatment regimen. |
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How to reduce the risk of contracting SARS? | ||||
There is no vaccine currently
available. Good hygiene practice remains the most effective way to
minimize the risk of contracting and spreading the disease: |
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During the Non-SARS Period | ||||
1. | Maintain good personal hygiene | |||
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Wash hands: | |||
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Proper way of hand washing: | |||
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Rub hands with a 65-95% alcohol solution
to disinfect them when hand washing facilities are not available. |
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2. | Under some situations, people are recommended to wear a mask. Examples include: | |||
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3. | Maintain a healthy lifestyle – a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate rest. Do not smoke. | |||
4. | Maintain good environmental hygiene | |||
Keep home clean. Clean furniture and household
facilities with a solution of washing up liquid and water or a diluted
household bleach solution in the ratio of 1:99 (1 part of household
bleach mixed with 99 parts of water) daily. Then rinse with water
and wipe dry.
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Keep windows open to maintain good indoor ventilation; | |||
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Wash dust filters of air-conditioners frequently. | |||
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Clean the toilet at least once daily with 1:99 diluted household bleach solution. | |||
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When using the toilet, it is essential to observe hygienic practices: | |||
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Clean the floor drain outlets regularly; | |||
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Pour about half a litre of water into
each floor drain outlet at least once a week in order to prevent foul
air and insects from entering the premises; |
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Then pour a teaspoonful of 1:99 diluted
household bleach solution and pour clean water down the drain after
5 minutes; |
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For floor drains, spray insecticide
into the drain outlets after cleaning; |
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Make sure drains and pipes do not leak
or aren’t blocked. Do not alter them without prior authorization.
Repair immediately if there is a defect in the trap or smell of foul
air is coming from drain outlets. |
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When SARS is reported overseas | ||||
Additional to the above measures, a mask is recommended for: | ||||
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When SARS is reported locally | ||||
A mask is further recommended for: | ||||
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As this list cannot be exhaustive,
members of the public are reminded to exercise judgment in accordance
with guidance given above. In general, anyone who feels the need to
wear a mask is advised to do so. |
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When wearing a surgical mask | ||||
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The coloured side of the mask faces outwards, with the metallic strip uppermost; | |||
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The strings or elastic bands are positioned properly to keep the mask firmly in place; | |||
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The metallic strip moulds to the bridge of the nose and the mask should fit snugly over the face; | |||
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The mask should cover the nose, mouth and chin. |
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Wearing a mask is just one
way to help prevent respiratory tract infections. Remember to observe
good hygiene practice and healthy lifestyle. |
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Psychological management during the SARS period | ||||
It is understandable, with
a new disease, that people will have lots of fear and anxiety. It
is thus important for people to take appropriate steps to manage their
anxieties in order not to adversely affect health. The following suggestions
may help manage anxiety when SARS is reported: |
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People at high risk of or
are affected by SARS need all the support we can give them. Be considerate
and show them our concern and acceptance. This will help them go through
a smooth and effective treatment course as well as speed up their
recovery. Discrimination and rejection DO NOT keep SARS away from
you. Thorough understanding of the disease, a proper attitude and
stringent preventive actions DO. |
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The public should
cooperate with the relevant authorities and comply with the following
public health control measures which may be enforced when there are
local SARS cases reported: |
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General advice for some settings: | ||||
Schools | ||||
Without SARS | ||||
All staff and students should observe good personal
hygiene.
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The staff should clean and disinfect furniture
and equipment using 1:99 diluted household bleach solution regularly.
Rewipe with a towel soaked in clean water and wipe dry.
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If cleaning vomitus, use 1:49 diluted household
bleach solution. Rinse the area with water and wipe dry.
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Windows of classrooms should be opened from time
to time for better ventilation. Ensure the air-conditioning system
is well maintained. Clean the air filter regularly.
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Ensure toilet facilities are properly maintained.
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Liquid soap and disposable towels or hand dryer
should be provided in toilets.
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Sick children must not be taken to schools or
child care centres.
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If a child becomes sick while at school:
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Inform parents/ guardians immediately
and advise them to take the child to a doctor. |
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Separate the sick child from others. Recommend the child to wear a mask if displaying symptoms of respiratory infection or fever. | |||
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Also recommend the carers to wear a mask. | Schools should keep good sick leave records of staff
and children. When there is an increase in the number of absentees:
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Contact the staff or parents/ guardians
of absentees to ascertain the reasons for their absence. |
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Inform the Department of Health when a
large number of absentees with similar symptoms are noted. |
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With SARS reported | ||||
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Workplaces | ||||
Without SARS | ||||
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With SARS reported | ||||
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Public places | ||||
Without SARS | ||||
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With SARS reported | ||||
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Roles of the Department of Health | ||||
The Department of Health takes proactive actions to protect the health of the public. Some examples include: | ||||
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For more information | ||||
Please call the Department of Health's 24-hour pre-recorded health education hotline at 2833 0111, or the DH hotline at 187 2222 during office hours, or visit the DH website at http://www.dh.gov.hk. | ||||
(*1) Close contact means someone who cares for, lives with, or has direct contact with the respiratory secretions or bodily fluids of a person with SARS. | ||||
(*2) Social contact means someone who has casual contact with a person suffering from SARS, i.e. someone not involved in the care of, not living with, or not having direct contact with the respiratory secretions or bodily fluids of an infected person. | ||||
29 November 2003 |