Toronto hit with four new SARS cases

Toronto Globe and Mail ^ | May 22, 2003 | Sasha Nagy

[AntiGuv]

Toronto health officials announced four news cases of SARS in Toronto and have instituted new quarantine restrictions for anyone who has recently visited a North York hospital.

Two of the patients are reportedly in critical condition.

Anyone who visited St. John's Rehabilitation Centre, on Cummer Ave. in North York, between May 9-20th is asked to immediately isolate themselves from family and friends and call Toronto Public Health Friday morning.

Speaking at the press conference, Dr. Donald Low, chief microbiologist at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital, said the four cases currently don't meet the World Health Organization criteria for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, but said he believed Toronto is dealing with the disease again.

"Clinically, we think this is SARS," said Dr. Low.

St. John's had been closed during last month's SARS scare. The facility was still announcing it's recent reopening and SARS-free status on its Web site late Thursday.

A message on the site proclaimed the site SARS free since May 8th.

"As there have been no new community-based cases of SARS, St. John's Rehabilitation Hospital has lifted most of its SARS containment measures effective May 8, 2003."

The city last reported a new case of SARS in mid-April.

Canadian officials had lobbied hard to get Toronto off the SARS pariah list, saying its continued inclusion sent the wrong message to the world about the state of the city's outbreak, believed to be all but over.

The WHO had earlier issued a travel advisory against Toronto that was later rescinded after the vigorous efforts of health officials and politicians.

Twenty-four people in Canada — all from the Toronto area — have died of SARS

[TaxRelief]

They really don't believe the little diseases live on surfaces, do they?

[travelnurse]

Two of the patients are reportedly in critical condition.

Speaking at the press conference, Dr. Donald Low, chief microbiologist at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital, said the four cases currently don't meet the World Health Organization criteria for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, but said he believed Toronto is dealing with the disease again.

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Two patients in critical condition???? The incubation period is 7-10 days, so they had to have known about this for quite awhile and they're now just letting the public know?

The four cases don't meet WHO's criteria but Dr. Law believes it is SARS?? Who do they think they are foolin? They're so concerned about their image and the economy that they're downplaying SARS in Toronto. Stay away from Toronto... can't trust those Canadians.

[Kay Soze]

Socialized medicine bump.

[Grampa Dave]

SARS and Mad Cow Disease makes Canada a perfect place to visit.

[Grampa Dave]

When did WHO lift the travel ban?

As you noted, this disease has a 7-10 day incubation period.

Where these cases hidden from WHO by the Toronto Chamber of Commerce?

[desertsolitaire]

SARS and rumors of SARS.

[desertsolitaire]

M.O.O.N. that spells SCARY. Laws, yessirree.

[desertsolitaire]

Alas, Babylon.

[goldstategop]

Yup. But four cases in the last month? I don't think there's cause for panic. As for mad cow disease, as long as the beef's well cooked I'm not worried about holes sprouting through my brain. In the longer view of things, its not as bad as advertised.

[TaxRelief]

Actually, SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

Severe= Bad
Acute= Sudden onset
Respiratory=Relating to breathing
Syndrome=physical condition

The unique characteristic of SARS is that it does not steadily get worse. The confirmed and bad cases are in life-threatening danger within the first 12 hours of becoming symptomatic, hence the name 'SARS'.

[aristeides]

Ping.

[First Amendment]

As for mad cow disease, as long as the beef's well cooked I'm not worried about holes sprouting through my brain.

The prions, or whatever they're called, aren't killed by heat. That's why some people have gotten mad cow disease (only it's called something else when it isn't from cows) by having surgery performed with autoclaved instruments, that were used on a previous patient with the disease. Heat, cooking, sterilization doesn't work.

[blam]

"As for mad cow disease, as long as the beef's well cooked I'm not worried about holes sprouting through my brain. In the longer view of things, its not as bad as advertised."

Cooking does not eliminate Mad Cow Disease. The prions are unaffected and are still dangerous after cooking. (Don't ask me about 'prions', it's something I read.)

[FearOfFutility]

I've been lurking here for quite some time. I considered FearofFlaming as my screen name as that is one of the reasons I've never posted. After reading your post, I decided that it's my duty as a soon to be nurse to respond. The virus that causes Mad Cow is a prion. It's indestructable. Thoroughly cooking meat will kill E. coli, but not Mad Cow.

[Free Trapper]

Welcome to FR.:O)

[FearOfFutility]

Thanks!

[LurkedLongEnough]

Malignant prions (gold) crowd round a cell.

[Thud]

Please remove me from this ping list.