Taiwan raises alert level against disease

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) raised Taiwan's SARS response level early this morning after China confirmed at least four cases of the disease.

CDC Director-General Su Ih-jen (蘇益仁) reported that a 20-year-old female nurse at China's Jiangong Hospital (建宮醫院), surnamed Li, had tested positive for SARS according to both the immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M tests, and as such met Taiwan's standards as a confirmed SARS case.

"We also know that there was another case of SARS in China between March and April. A 26-year-old female from Anhui Province was treated for respiratory infection at the Jiangong Hospital," Su said.

According to Su, the patient, surnamed Song, later tested positive for SARS on the IgG test, but negative on the IgM test.

Su yesterday that Li had contracted SARS while treating Song.

"Song began feeling ill in early March and visited Jiangong Hospital where [Li] worked on March 29. On April 5, Li began to feel symptoms," Su said.

Su that the CDC was particularly concerned about how Song had contracted SARS, saying that cases of local transmission were possible given the lack of confirmation on how Song was infected.

"Three possible sources of SARS are animals, labs and human communities. This case will be important in terms of finding out the source of infection. If it turns out that this case of SARS existed in the local community, then it is possible that SARS will make a comeback every year," Su said.

The CDC yesterday raised its SARS response level to A from 0. Level 0 indicates that there are no cases of SARS worldwide, level A the detection of SARS cases in other nations, level B the detection of SARS in Taiwan, and level C, numerous cases of SARS in Taiwan.

As a result of the move, the CDC began increasing border surveillance efforts at midnight last night. Su explained that travelers to Taiwan from Beijing or Anhui Province would be required to fill out forms confirming their health. They will also be required to conduct personal health management, which would include keeping records of daily temperature readings. CDC officials will make follow-up phone calls for 10 days to verify health conditions.

Su that the CDC had continued taking the temperature of travelers arriving in Taiwan from China, Hong Kong and Macau since the last SARS scare. If a fever is detected, the doctors will take samples as necessary, he said.

However, the CDC has decided not take temperature readings of travelers departing Taiwan as no SARS cases have been identified in Taiwan so far.

"Because previous SARS policies were geared towards fighting SARS during the influenza season, we required schools to take temperature readings. However, this year temperature readings will not be required at school or upon entering buildings," Su said.

"China has been faster in responding to SARS this year than last, but in performing tests to confirm SARS cases, China still needs to be faster," Department of Health Director-General Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) said. "If China needs help in this area, we would be willing to offer guidance."

"SARS can affect anyone, so it is important to be transparent, honest and expedient in handling SARS cases," Chen said.

In addition, despite the lack of government communication, the Red Cross National Headquarters said it had received a detailed report of the SARS situation in China from its counterpart there.

Also see storys:
MAC wants China to come clean
Firms told to take anti-SARS steps