Minister denies WHO report on flu-like disease
Evi Mariani and Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The government announced on Monday that no Indonesians had been infected so far by the worldwide outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), but it was taking precautionary measures to prevent the deadly illness from entering the country.
"There have been no cases of SARS reported here yet. I repeat, there are no cases," Minister of Health Achmad Suyudi told a news conference.
"The World Health Organization (WHO) said that a single unconfirmed report was received here on March 15. However, the day after the report, it was confirmed that this person did not have the same symptoms."
Suyudi said that the Indonesian had been in contact with a SARS patient in Hanoi, but upon the person's return home and after continuous observation, the person could not be classified as being infected with SARS.
The minister said, however, that the person's health was being monitored closely, despite the fact that they were not infected with the illness.
WHO declared on Saturday that the mysterious pneumonia was "a worldwide health threat".
On that day, Geneva-based WHO listed Indonesia among SARS- prone countries, along with Canada, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
WHO said nine people had died from the disease -- seven in Asia and two in North America -- and 150 cases had been reported on three continents.
SARS symptoms include a fever of above 38 degree Celsius (100.4 degree Fahrenheit) accompanied by respiratory problems, which may include coughing, difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath.
"Only people who have visited the infected countries since Feb. 1 and suffer from these symptoms may be declared infected with SARS," Suyudi said.
No cure for the illness has been found.
WHO said the outbreak first appeared on Feb. 26 when a 48-year-old American businessman became sick in Hanoi with flu- like symptoms following a trip to Shanghai and Hong Kong. He was flown back to Hong Kong for treatment and later died there.
Suyudi said that in order to prevent SARS from entering Indonesia, the government had issued warnings to all airport and port authorities, hospitals and health clinics to watch for people who have flu-like illnesses.
"We are not prohibiting our citizens from visiting the infected countries, but it is better not to do so. If anyone goes and starts developing these symptoms, please go to the hospital immediately," he said.
Suyudi said that anyone infected with SARS from overseas would also be given a health alert card, so that they could get medical treatment at local hospitals.
The government has also imported special protective masks from Singapore, which will be distributed at airports, ports and hospitals if there is a case of SARS, he said.
The Ministry of Health has also opened a 24-hour hot line for anyone needing more information or assistance. The contact numbers are 62-21-4247608 and 62-21-4240611.
Meanwhile, Pujobroto, a spokesman for Garuda Indonesia, said the company had not received any notice about SARS, but had increased its awareness of the disease.
He said Garuda always carried out routine medical checks on its cabin crew and stopped any sick passengers from boarding the airplane without clearance first from the plane doctor.