World Health Organization declares Philippines SARS-free: DoH urges the public to maintain its vigilance
ACTING on a formal request by our Department of Health (DoH), the World Health Organization (WHO) removed the Philippines from its list of SARS infected countries last May 20. The Philippines got into the list after six people who came into contact with Adela Catalon, a nursing attendant from Canada who died of SARS manifested the disease. The delisting follows the end of a 20-day observation period during which time no new suspected SARS case traceable to the transmission chain that started with Adela had been reported. To date, the number of confirmed SARS cases in the country – both imported and locally acquired – is 12 with 2 deaths.
The elimination of SARS from the country and the WHO delisting are the results of an efficient surveillance and detailed contact tracing system which concerned government and non-governmental agencies and personnel - headed by the Department of Health - have established.
The WHO reclassification of the Philippines as a SARS-free country will, undoubtedly, benefit our labor and tourism industry. Countries that have banned entry of Filipinos and others that have issued travel advisories against the Philippines are expected to lift their ban and revise their advisories, respectively. In addition, the delisting will also allay the fears of millions of ordinary Filipinos who have been unduly alarmed by this new, largely misunderstood, illness.
The WHO declaration notwithstanding, the country's war against SARS has not been won yet. As long as SARS exists anywhere in the world, the probability that it may spread to any country continues to exist. All concerned need to stay vigilant. The DoH has reiterated the call to all doctors to report all suspected SARS cases for proper management and treatment following the DoH strategy of identification, isolation, and containment.
The immediate release of the P1 billion fund that the national government has earmarked for the anti-SARS campaign will surely help in preventing disease from affecting the country again.
We commend the Department of Health for expediting the steps for this clearance and express our appreciation to the World Health Organization for its efficient and quick response.
