WHO Removes Vietnam from SARS List
First Country to Contain SARS Outbreak
April 28, 2003 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) today declared Vietnam is the first country to contain a SARS outbreak within its borders. The WHO officially removed Vietnam from its list of countries affected by SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) after 20 consecutive days passed without a new reported case of the mysterious illness.
The first SARS cases were reported in Vietnam on Feb. 26. The WHO officer stationed in Hanoi, Carlo Urbani, MD, has been credited with quickly implementing infection control measures to prevent the spread of what was then known only as an outbreak of atypical pneumonia. Urbani died of SARS himself weeks later.
At the peak of Vietnam's SARS outbreak, more than 63 cases of SARS were reported, including five deaths.
"It's a big day for us all in Vietnam and also throughout the world," says Pascale Brudon, the WHO representative in Hanoi. "We have been capable of containing this epidemic, but the virus is still present in neighboring countries."
While Vietnam has been able to successfully curb its SARS outbreak, Chinese officials are still struggling to contain SARS. Nearly 3,000 cases have been reported in China, and the spread no signs of slowing. More than 300 new SARS cases were reported in China over the weekend, including nine more deaths reported yesterday.
Worldwide, the number of SARS cases has now surpassed the 5,000 mark at 5,050, including 321 deaths attributed to the disease.
The CDC is currently investigating suspected 254 SARS cases in the U.S., including 41 cases that meet the WHO's definition of probable SARS cases. No SARS deaths have been reported in the U.S.
The WHO says SARS seems to have peaked in most countries, except China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, where new cases continue to be reported daily. The WHO's travel advisory remains in effect for these areas as well as Toronto, Canada. Travelers are advised to avoid all but essential travel to these areas hardest hit by SARS.
WHO Removes Vietnam from SARS List
First Country to Contain SARS Outbreak
April 28, 2003 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) today declared Vietnam is the first country to contain a SARS outbreak within its borders. The WHO officially removed Vietnam from its list of countries affected by SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) after 20 consecutive days passed without a new reported case of the mysterious illness.
The first SARS cases were reported in Vietnam on Feb. 26. The WHO officer stationed in Hanoi, Carlo Urbani, MD, has been credited with quickly implementing infection control measures to prevent the spread of what was then known only as an outbreak of atypical pneumonia. Urbani died of SARS himself weeks later.
At the peak of Vietnam's SARS outbreak, more than 63 cases of SARS were reported, including five deaths.
"It's a big day for us all in Vietnam and also throughout the world," says Pascale Brudon, the WHO representative in Hanoi. "We have been capable of containing this epidemic, but the virus is still present in neighboring countries."
While Vietnam has been able to successfully curb its SARS outbreak, Chinese officials are still struggling to contain SARS. Nearly 3,000 cases have been reported in China, and the spread no signs of slowing. More than 300 new SARS cases were reported in China over the weekend, including nine more deaths reported yesterday.
Worldwide, the number of SARS cases has now surpassed the 5,000 mark at 5,050, including 321 deaths attributed to the disease.
The CDC is currently investigating suspected 254 SARS cases in the U.S., including 41 cases that meet the WHO's definition of probable SARS cases. No SARS deaths have been reported in the U.S.
The WHO says SARS seems to have peaked in most countries, except China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, where new cases continue to be reported daily. The WHO's travel advisory remains in effect for these areas as well as Toronto, Canada. Travelers are advised to avoid all but essential travel to these areas hardest hit by SARS.
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