An Oahu woman who traveled to Vietnam for a month has been added to the list of Hawaii people suspected of having a mysterious flu-like disease that originated in Southeast Asia. Oahu woman is fifth
suspected SARS caseBy Leila Fujimori
lfujimori@starbulletin.comThe woman's symptoms fit the basic definition of severe acute respiratory syndrome. She had a cough and a fever, though not at the same time, and had traveled to Hanoi, state Department of Health spokeswoman Laura Lott said.
Lott said doctors believe it is unlikely the woman had the disease since her symptoms were mild. However, she was admitted to an Oahu hospital as a precautionary measure for less than 24 hours over the weekend.
This is the fifth suspected SARS cases in Hawaii. The other four have recovered from their illness, Lott said. A sixth suspected case had been listed but was dropped from the list later.
"The Hawaii cases meet the broad definition, but until they have the tests, it's a diagnosis of exclusion," Lott said.
The Centers for Disease Control is developing blood serum tests for SARS, but none is yet available.
Meanwhile, the American Lung Association of Hawaii announced yesterday that Hawaii residents seeking information about SARS can call a toll-free number.
"Given our closeness to Asia where SARS is most prevalent, we feel this service is especially important to Hawaii," said Douglas Yee, president of the American Lung Association of Hawaii.
People can call 1-800-548-8252 from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Registered nurses and respiratory therapists are available to provide answers about SARS and other lung ailments.
As of today, there were more than 2,600 suspect SARS cases worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, with 104 deaths in 19 countries. There were 150 cases under investigation in the United States, but no deaths.
Lott said SARS has a contagious level of a cold and that transmission is caused by close contact, and not casual contact.
SARS appears to be transmitted by droplet and not airborne transmission, when someone sick coughs or sneezes droplets into the air and someone else breathes them in, according to the CDC.
State Health Department
Centers for Disease Control
Hong Kong Department of Health