22 in U.S. May Have Mystery Illness
By DANIEL YEE
ATLANTA (AP) — The federal government increased to 22 the number of people in America suspected of having the mysterious flu-like illness that has sickened hundreds in Asia.
The suspected cases of those made ill by severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, involve people who recently have been to Asia and developed fever and respiratory problems.
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention announced 11 suspected U.S. cases Monday and two more were added Wednesday. The list was updated with nine new cases Friday.
“We need to be highly vigilant,” said Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the federal agency. People who have had close contact with ill patients can contract SARS, Gerberding said.
In one case, an ill traveler from Asia may have infected two health workers. Another traveler to Asia is suspected of spreading the illness to a family member.
The CDC Web site listed six cases in California; three in Hawaii; two each in the states of North Carolina, New York and Virginia; and one case each in Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah and Wisconsin.
Federal officials have said those who haven’t recently traveled to Asia don’t have to worry about the illness.
Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, an X-ray indicating pneumonia or difficulty breathing, accompanied by a temperature of at least 100.4 degrees; close contact in the past 10 days with someone who has SARS or a visit in the past 10 days to one of the locations where the disease has turned up – primarily eastern Asia.
The CDC has handed out 35,000 fliers warning of the illness to travelers returning from Asia. This week, U.S. health officials intercepted five planes or boats with sick passengers.
Ill passengers were isolated and taken to health care facilities. The other passengers were required to give officials information of their whereabouts for the next two weeks so they can be notified if needed, said Dr. Marty Cetron, a CDC quarantine expert.
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