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April 4, 2003 Contact: Bonnie Widerburg (503) 731-4180 Technical contact: Mel Kohn, M.D. (503) 731-4023 Oregon health officials investigating possible SARS case Public health officials at the state Department of Human Services (DHS) today said that they are investigating Oregon's first possible case of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). "Although this person technically meets the case definition prescribed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is counted as a case on their website today, other more common diagnoses are thought to be more likely at this time," cautioned Mel Kohn, M.D., state epidemiologist in DHS. The 57-year old Portland-area resident visited China last month and came down with respiratory symptoms during her trip. She was admitted to the hospital five days after returning to the United States and has responded well to initial treatment. She is currently stable and appears to be recovering, according to Kohn. "We do not believe the general public in Oregon is at risk for infection of SARS at this time," said Kohn. Although the diagnosis of SARS in this patient is still not confirmed, Kohn said that the hospital is taking appropriate precautions to prevent infection of other patients, healthcare providers and the general public. Kohn said that since SARS was first recognized, DHS has received several reports of suspicious respiratory illnesses but that this is the first one that has met the case definition criteria established by the federal CDC. Additional evaluation and laboratory testing is underway to establish the patient's diagnosis. Symptoms of SARS are a cough, illness since Feb. 1, and a temperature of at least 100.4° F. in someone who has traveled to mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore or to Hanoi, Vietnam. People who fit these criteria should contact their health care providers, Kohn advised. "If anyone believes they may have SARS, it's important that they do not just drop in to see their doctor," Kohn said. "They need to call ahead and arrange for an examination where medical staff can protect themselves and other patients." "Health authorities in this country and internationally are working together to understand the cause of SARS and how it is spread," Kohn said. "Meanwhile, we are working with health care providers and county public health partners to prevent any spread of the disease in Oregon." As of Wednesday, the CDC reports 100 suspect cases of SARS in the United States. Oregon is the 29th state to report a suspect case. Worldwide, SARS has afflicted 2,270 persons and 79 people had died, as of April 3, 2003. No one in the United States has died. Additional information regarding SARS is on the Web. |
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