The United Kingdom could see more cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in the months ahead as the virus mutates, health secretary Alan Milburn warned in a House of Commons statement on Monday.
He outlined a number of new measures to try to limit the spread of the disease, including measures to reduce cross infection in hospital and checks on the screening arrangements at international airports. Airlines with flights returning from infected areas will be asked to give passengers information on SARS and to give a declaration on the health of passengers on arrival.
So far only six cases of SARS have been reported in the United Kingdom. The last reported case was a patient admitted to hospital on 10 April, and all of the patients have since recovered. But Mr Milburn said there was still a risk, as the virus could mutate and might be spread in different ways, rather than just through close contact between people.
Patients in the United Kingdom have been advised that if they have concerns about SARS they should call the telephone helpline NHS Direct or their doctor. An assessment can then be carried out over the phone before a decision is taken on whether any further action is necessary.
GPs have been advised that if a patient fits the definition of a suspected or probable case of SARS, the patient should be seen at home if at all possible, rather than in the practice setting.
Doctors should use gloves and a surgical mask when examining patients suspected of being infected.
Meanwhile a leading epidemiologist, Professor Roy Anderson, has suggested that the death rate from SARS might be higher than first thought.
In a paper due to be published in the Lancet he is going to claim, according to the BBC, that the virus kills between 8% and 15% of infected people—compared with WHO estimates of 5% to 6% But he will say that the disease is less contagious than first thought.
He based his figures on an analysis of the cases in Hong Kong, says the BBC report (news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2977035.stm).