MONTALBO, JOSEPHINE M.

CA- BSABT (2012-38210)

PREVENTION OF SARS
A professor who stayed in a hotel in Hongkong manifested symptoms of cold and
dry cough. The disease was first thought to be a newly strain of influenza. After
hospitalization, the professor died. The World Health Organization (WHO) was alarmed
because it was an unknown disease which is easily transmitted without cure and the
origin was unknown. In fact, the people who coincidentally ride the elevator with the
professor was infected by this disease and was transmitted to other people when they
got back to their respective countries. For prevention, the Hongkong government set up
quarantine camp, isolation of the already infected patients, no school for the students
and set up travel guidelines.
Scientists all over the world immediately research about this disease in order to
provide the cure or vaccines.They use the advancement of telecommunications to share
their findings. The were able to found out that it was caused by a corona virus. This virus
replicates once it resides to its new host. They also traced the origin of the virus in South
China specifically the domesticated animals such as chicken. The scientists were able to
know the whole sequence of the virus. It is an RNA virus and a new species. This the
reason why we have no immunity to this disease known as the SARS corona virus.
SARS was an epidemic disease of the world which mostly affected HongKong.
Many people died from this disease and spread easily through direct face to face contact
infected droplets when the patient squeezes. Therefore, prevention is very important.
Case detection, patient isolation and contact tracing are the three components for the
succesfull prevention of the disease. In the video, hospitals gave diagnostic kits to
identify SARS patients as soon after the onset of disease as possible. Once cases were
identified, the infected patient must be isolated and given proper medication. Health
workers was given protocols to avoid infection of the disease. The source of infection of
the patient must be identify by investigating all close contacts and assurance of their
health status. This is like a detective work.
HongKong government implemented this protective measures and it was able to
contained the disease in a country. Quarantine camps were also established. I think
reducing travel between districts at that time will be also helpful in the prevention. To
prevent the spread of SARS globally, WHO provided advisory to countries for national
measures. There are also advice to travellers such as wearing mask.