[EternalHope]

This is the first specific info I have seen on the tests being used to "positively" identify SARS.

The tests are very slow, and tend to have false negatives. A test to quickly and reliably identify a SARS patient is urgently needed.

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[theDentist]

Available tests to detect Sars not fully reliable, says WHO

Well then, no sense in using them, eh? What twerps. The same thing happened with AIDS. There was a test for Hepatitis-C, as I recall, that would usually indicate the presence of AIDS antibodies. But because it wasn't 100% accurate, various health orgs (CDC, WHO) wouldn't put *any* faith in it.

[aristeides]

Was this test developed before the WHO confirmed the identification of the SARS virus? The WHO seems now to have done that: WHO identifies SARS virus .

[Dysart]

FYI: I'm a middleman in the healthcare supply business. Today, I attempted to place a routine order for surgical masks. I was told by the mfg. that they were currently running 6-month backorders, minimum! I tried to ascertain just who had been buying them up but they weren't forthcoming at all.

I've been halfway expecting this. It seems to me the utility of these masks in preventing transmission is still questionable. Let's hope there isn't a pressing need for mass qtys as they may not be readily available.

[Revolting cat!]

Available tests to detect SARS not fully reliable, says WHO

WHO sez WHAT? WHY? The cat sez HE don't trust THEM!