14 SARS suspects under health watch
By Azaraimy HH

Dr. Hishamuddin

Media briefing conducted at the health ministry yesterday

The Health Ministry yesterday assured the Sultanate is still free from any identifiable SARS cases whatsoever, although according to the ministry's Disease Control Division there are currently 14 people still under the active surveillance. They are restricted from public contacts, recommended to stay at home where they are given Medical Leave Certificates usually around 14 days and are being monitored via phone or other means by the health authority.

Of 190 people placed under surveillance, 176 people had been discharged. Fifty six cases were recorded as false SARS cases and were not put under surveillance at all.

The SARS contact case, who is now undergoing the quarantine at the RIPAS Hospital, until now has showed no sign of the deadly SARS disease, the Ministry of Health said.

The Ministry clarified a false rumour that two SARS-affected Canadians had entered Brunei.

Dr. Hishamuddin, a medical officer at the Disease Control Division, said yesterday the two were local women who arrived from travelling in Canada and Singapore.

On April 27, two local women were found to have high body temperature while undergoing medical checking at the Brunei International Airport, the ministry said. They flew in from Canada and Singapore, two SARS affected countries.

Dr. Hishamuddin explained that as a guideline to possible SARS cases, the two local women were immediately send to RIPAS hospital in a special ambulance for further emergency checking at the SARS centre.

The two were found not to fulfill all the suspected SARS criteria given by the World Health Organisation. The two were immediately discharged. After further surveillance conducted by the disease control division, the two got well and found not to have any signs of the deadly SARS.

Dr. Hishamuddin said even though the two did not need any further precautions, the two quarantine themselves for 10 days after their arrival from Canada and Singapore.

The Ministry is now strengthening their monitor on all entry points to the Sultanate including land and sea such as the Serasa ferry terminal in a bid to stop the deadly SARS from entering the Brunei shores, he said.

There could be those who fake to be SARS suspects just to get medical leaves which usually given for several days, the ministry said.

The ministry explained the procedure of identifying SARS suspects conducted by the Disease Control Division.

There are a few forms need to be filled-up. Travelling to affected areas and certain illness like coughing and flu could bring a person to be SARS suspect and most probably be put under surveillance.

The ministry also explained that if it ever comes to the first identifiable SARS case, the ministry is equipped to handle the disease from spreading.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin