SARS Coming

[Tohto]

With the Haji coming next month, millions of muslim will vist Saudi, how are WHO going to control it?

 

 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp...1228229/1/.html

 

GENEVA: The UN health agency said on Wednesday it knew of no more cases in the Gulf of a mystery illness from the same virus family as the deadly SARS but was advising Saudi Arabia ahead of the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage.

 

"WHO is working closely with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as in previous years, to support the country's health measures for all visitors participating in the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca next month," the World Health Organization said in a statement.

 

The Geneva-based agency earlier confirmed that the illness was in the coronavirus family and had caused the death of a Saudi national.

 

It has also left a Qatari man seriously ill in a London hospital after he was transferred there from Doha earlier this month, the WHO said, adding that he had previously been in Saudi Arabia.

 

The two cases occurred three months apart in June and September, said the WHO, stressing that the illness is not Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome which swept out of China in 2003, killing more than 800 people worldwide.

 

What sets the new virus apart from SARS, the agency added, is that it causes rapid kidney failure.

 

Meanwhile, pilgrims have already begun to arrive in the Saudi kingdom for the ritual that represents the world's largest annual gathering.

 

Last year, nearly three million Muslim pilgrims performed the Hajj, which represents one of the five pillars of Islam and must be performed at least once in a lifetime by all Muslims who are able to do so.

 

Saudi health authorities have downplayed the chances of an outbreak of the mystery illness, adding that there were no changes on travel conditions for pilgrims.

 

Meanwhile, a Danish hospital said on Wednesday it had isolated five people with symptoms of a viral respiratory illness pending the result of tests.

 

Odense University hospital said those admitted were a family of four where the father had been to Saudi Arabia, and an unrelated person who had been to Qatar.

Two of the patients were children under five.

 

SARS swept out of China in 2003, killing more than 800 people worldwide.

 

[13177]

So this unknown virus origin from Saudi Arabia?! Hopefully it will not travel here.

[Yardo]

Jialat, can't imagine that happening again like SARS...

[Tcx607]

The potential problem will surface upon hajj pilgrimage travel to Mecca next month.

Millions getting to Mecca and living closedly together. Hygience will be a challenge.

As a result, if SARS really surface, this will be widely spread.

[Lala81]

Hope it all amounts to nothing. Really hate wearing N95

[13177]

Jialat, can't imagine that happening again like SARS...

Really cant imagine if happening again now like SARS, as our population here is so crowded! Back in 2003 SARS, we do not have so many people here!

[Shull]

sh(t..... one of my staff just came back from Saudi via Doha..

Edited September 27, 2012 by Shull

[Creativeshoot]

Hope it all amounts to nothing. Really hate wearing N95

 

 

what is n95? i only know shell petrol, fuelsave..octane 95 or...? huh? can explain more..?

[Tohto]

what is n95? i only know shell petrol, fuelsave..octane 95 or...? huh? can explain more..?

 

Are you here during the SARS in 2003? Was suprise you don't know what is N95.

Just google it and you can find information on it.

[Babyt]

Nokia N95

[Mockngbrd]

2003... didn't seem that long ago

[13177]

2003... didn't seem that long ago

Almost 10 years ago liao, not long?

[Philipkee]

In between SARS, we had H1N1 Swine Flue in 2009. We also worried for H5N1. During that time, I think VRE first surfaced?

 

Now with this new virus, maybe the world will end in 2012.

[Mockngbrd]

Almost 10 years ago liao, not long?

didn't SEEM.... sheesh

[ShepherdPie]

6 cases of H1N1 reported in kindy at Pasir Ris... :|

 

now can all take out mask to use liao. :P

Edited October 9, 2013 by ShepherdPie

[Jman888]

6 cases of H1N1 reported in kindy at Pasir Ris... :|

 

now can all take out mask to use liao. :P

 

thought can keep till haze come next year

[Lala81]

6 cases of H1N1 reported in kindy at Pasir Ris... :|

 

now can all take out mask to use liao. :P

 

don't be alarmist lah.

H1N1 is the most common strain of influenza in singapore currently. Basically it means there are virtually hundreds of people contracting it daily.

[Vid]

Still remember during 2003 SARS period when I travelled to S.Korea. Everyone on the plane were wearing masks. Feelings of gloom everywhere.