Sultanate Remains SARS Free As Progress Made To Contain Outbreak

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei remains free from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

To date, no clinical case of SARS was reported in the sultanate however the Health Ministry would continue to monitor the development.

Health Minister Pehin Dato Awang Haji Abu Bakar stated this at the 3rd Task Force meeting on the handling of SARS yesterday.

Pehin Abu Bakar, who is also the chairman of the task force said from the health screening carried out by the task force there has been no case of anyone suspected of having the SARS symptoms.

The minister added as part of the national response to this newly emerging infectious disease, SARS has been included at the Quarantine and Prevention Act, Chapter 47, laws of Brunei as of March 19, 2003.

It is therefore mandatory for every health practitioner to notify any suspected case of SARS to the Health Ministry for further action.

SARS is a respiratory illness of unknown cause that has been recently reported in Asia, North America and Europe.

The illness begins generally with a high fever, the fever sometimes associated with chills or other symptoms including headaches, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing and body aches.

Since the global alert issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on March 12, the outbreak of SARS continues to take place in more countries in which some have reported deaths.

So far a total of 2,718 cases were reported by WHO including 94 deaths.

The Permanent Secretary at the Health Ministry in an exclusive interview with Radio Television Brunei said the task force, which consist of ministries, departments and agencies are playing their role to monitor the SARS development and suitable action taken with the cooperation from all parties.

During the meeting matters discussed included latest information on the development of SARS, prevention, monitoring and vigilant steps such as surveillance for those who enter the sultanate, guidelines in the conduct of both patients and staff of the hospitals and health centres.

Other issues such as schooling, the use of masks, dissemination of information and advise to the public were discussed.

As a precautionary measure the public is again reminded to refrain from travelling to affected areas.

The Health Ministry is continuously monitoring the development of SARS in accordance with the guidelines on the control and prevention of communicable disease.

Brudirect.com