AT a time when Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a deadly disease is raising its ugly head posing a great threat to public health, epidemiology and disease control division of Department of Health Services has come up with necessary action plan. All set is prepared to tackle the scourge if it strikes Nepal.
A rational policy of standard information, education and communication is the need of the hour to create awareness among the general masses about the killer disease. If medical authorities and mass media lack co-ordination and fail to impart proper information, SARS may be devastating for the country's health sector. With a view to muster our forces in helping to provide everyone with modern scientific publicity and allowing the general masses to get hold this sort of knowledge the authorities at the Health Ministry are trying their best to sensitise the people about the disease.
Since it was first detected in Guangdong province of China in November, SARS has spread worldwide, killing more than 185 people and infecting over 3,500.
In fact, SARS is not a disease. It is an acronym to hit the media which stands for severe acute respiratory syndrome. SARS is an atypical pneumonia of still unknown etiology characterised by high fever, cough with difficult breathing along with sign a symptoms of influenza. The ever first new disease of the 21st Century SARS spreads by person to person contact. Direct contact with the infected body fluids of the victim is also considered as one of the attributing factors behind the rapid spread of SARS. Till date, no cure of it has been found. Scientists have recently confirmed that corona virus is the ultimate cause of this dreaded disease.
As per recent information, China's Guangdong, Shanxi, and Hong Kong special administrative region, Toronto of Canada and Hanoi of Vietnam are the worst hit areas.Yet the malady is spreading its tentacles in other parts of the globe. Luckily, Nepal has not been affected by SARS so far. Diseases like SARS and other contagious ones do not obey the political boundaries of any country. As of a news item of April 19, 2003, India also has reported second confirmed case of SARS.
The ballooning situation of SARS across the South Asian nations is a matter of serious concern for us. If SARS enters into the county, it may kill anyone and jeopardise whole economy. As such, priority should be accorded high in preventing measures prior to it enters the country. All possible travelers either from ground route or air should be fully sensitised so as to make them aware of the impact of the scourge.
In the same way, question may arises what would be the preventive measures in Nepal. In this regard, all travelers are urged not to travel abroad unless unavoidable. To attain this goal high attention should be paid in the field of civil aviation affairs. All passengers arriving from affected countries should be isolated and pursue a through medical check up.
The incubation period of the disease is 2-7 days with a maximum of 10 days. During this convalescent period disease may erupt any time. Therefore, quarantine is the best way out to escape from the alarming threat of the disease. Sometime it will be impossible to keep any suspected traveler up to 10 days.
Doctors of affected countries say most patients recover with prompt treatment. But the treatment against SARS needs extra medical resources and skills. Patients suspected of SARS must be diagnosed early and nursed intensively in isolation wards. Besides, treatment involves respirators and expensive steroids. Doctors, nurses and other attendants must wear anti-infections suits, gloves and mask that they throw away after one use. Treatment of SARS is too much costly, hence prevention through awareness is a breakthrough to avoid the scourge.
The passengers who had visited the SARS affected countries must be traced. All air passengers are requested to fill in the SARS surveillance form at Tribhuvan International Airport. Forms are freely available for all passengers arriving from the SARS hit countries. According to plan and policy adopted by Department of Health Services in Nepal, Teku Infectious Disease Hospital has been selected as a referral hospital for SARS suspected cases. Besides, other referral hospitals located in Kathmandu Valley and major hospitals outside the Valley are also arranged for SARS suspected cases.
Furthermore, teams of health personnel have been deputed at Tribhuvan International Airport to manage the situation. With a view to trace the suspected cases of SARS from China a surveillance desk has been set up at Tatopani immigration office of Sindhupalchowk district. All concerned are cordially requested not to make unnecessary travel to SARS affected countries. In case of any questions, the interested persons can contact at 4255796 or 4262268 at epidemiology and disease control unit of Department of Health Services.
By Balaram Chaulagain
The Rising Nepal
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