DHSS Press Release

SARS SUSPECT CASE IDENTIFIED

A Pennsylvania resident who received care in a Delaware hospital meets the criteria for a suspect case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Physicians and Division of Public Health (DPH) officials determined today that the individual's symptoms were consistent with SARS, but a diagnosis has not been confirmed.

The individual, whose identity will be kept confidential, is not hospitalized and has been instructed to return home and avoid interacting with the public until 10 days after symptoms have resolved. Pennsylvania's Department of Health has been informed of the case and will oversee tracking of the individual's treatment and recovery.

DPH collected laboratory specimens which were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for additional testing.

Criteria for a suspect SARS case include an unexplained high fever (>100.4 degrees F) and one or more respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, low levels of oxygen in the blood, or X-ray findings of pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome, and travel to countries in Asia where the disease originated. The CDC and the World Health Organization report that SARS appears to spread by close personal contact - to those who have cared for, lived with, or had direct contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids of an infected person. In the unlikely event a traveler experiences this combination of symptoms, he or she should seek medical attention and inform health professionals about recent travel.

DPH is working with Delaware hospitals and physicians to monitor the occurrence of illness consistent with SARS. DPH will continue to investigate suspected cases.

Pennsylvania has identified three other suspected cases of SARS, while New Jersey reports two cases. Maryland has not identified a case at this time.

For information, contact Richard McGarvey at the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 717-787-1783.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.