Tests not accurate, but Canada may have SARS cases without symptoms (My Comment: They died..)

Associated Press (via KFVS12 news) ^ | June 1, 2003

[EternalHope]

Tests not accurate, but Canada may have SARS cases without symptoms Sunday, June1, 2003, 12:08 AM

Toronto-AP -- The SARS tests used are not that reliable, but Canadian officials say it's possible that four people died of the disease without showing symptoms.

All four died at a Toronto-area hospital recently. As a precaution, SARS tests were performed during autopsies. In three cases the tests came back positive. Results are pending on the fourth case. Still, health officials note that the tests' accuracy is limited, and the deaths remain under investigation.

Canada is struggling with the largest outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome outside Asia. The new disease has claimed 30 lives in Toronto.

Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[EternalHope]

They died, but they were not symptomatic???

They must have shown symptoms of SOMETHING. So what were they?

[CurlyDave]

Dying is clearly a symptom of something.

[cmsgop]

We Must find a Cure for Death.....

[D. Brian Carter]

Still, health officials note that the tests' accuracy is limited, and the deaths remain under investigation.

I repeat, the deaths remain under investigation. Another example of something being reported before they even are sure of the facts...

As I stated on another thread running currently, there have been 30 deaths from "SARS" since November 2002 in the entire nation of Canada. Many more people die of the flu every year.

Nature.com is reporting that the mortality rate is comparable to influenza and "it is much less transmissible than flu".

[Judith Anne]

Brian, Nature's article is out of date. The current death rate is 15% for cases under age 60, and 50% for cases over age 60.

[Judith Anne]

Brian, from the article you linked:

This sounds bad, but it is comparable to death rates from influenza. Among those under 60 years of age, the mortality rate is far higher than for flu: some 13% of those with SARS die from it.

How do you get that the death rate is comparable to the flu?

Be careful how you interpret that article, especially if you're giving a link.

[dc-zoo]

No symptoms but they had the sars virus? Does this mean they died healthy? Did they even make it to a hospital? Is this a joke? Could the virus have penetrated and infected their brain and shut their systems down? Maybe Doctor Kildaire can help now that he's out of the closet.

[Judith Anne]

I agree, this is so bizarre. Wonder why they even tested for SARS?

[aristeides]

They may have been testing everybody who died in this hospital for SARS.

[Judith Anne]

True...

[buffyt]

My daughter said everyone who has ever lived will die. Death is caused by life.....

[buffyt]

'Bed chains' for Canada Sars violators

Canada has altered the way it defines suspect cases
A top Canadian health official has warned people that they might have to be "chained to a bed" if they violate the strict Sars quarantine rules in Toronto.
The Toronto authorities are investigating four deaths linked to Sars which have raised fears that the outbreak could be spreading further than previously thought.

The deaths last week happened at a hospital away from areas identified as being affected by the pneumonia-like illness.

"I don't know how people will like this, but we can chain them to a bed if that's what it takes," said Ontario Health Minister Tony Clement.

He was referring to reports that some people in quarantine were not sticking to the required 10-day isolation period.

China sees improvement

Meanwhile, China on Sunday reported no new Sars fatalities and only two new cases - the lowest figures for a single day since authorities began issuing daily bulletins in April.

HOTSPOTS: KNOWN DEATH TOLLS
Mainland China: 332
Hong Kong: 278 (281)
Taiwan: 81
Singapore: 31
Canada: 30
Source: WHO/local health authorities
Global update
China's flooding fears

The death toll from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in mainland China remained at 332, with more than 5,000 reported cases.

The authorities in Hong Kong said three more people died of Sars on Sunday, bringing the overall death toll to 281.

In Taiwan - where four new cases were reported - the authorities have launched a nationwide "take-your-temperature" campaign, handing out free thermometers.

Toronto health officials said that autopsy tests had shown that some of the four dead patients were carrying the corona virus thought to be the cause of Sars.

The hospital - on the outskirts of the city - has closed its emergency units and walk-in clinics as a precaution.

So far, 30 people in the city are known to have died from Sars.

Extra powers

The BBC's Lee Carter in Toronto says there have been persistent reports of people refusing to remain in quarantine.

Our correspondent says the most blatant example is the case of students from a suburban high school shut down because of one case of probable Sars, who were seen out shopping or even visiting other schools.

On Saturday, Mr Clement said Ontario could employ extra powers if people refuse to remain in quarantine.

"We have the tools in place now, it's a question of whether they're necessary or not and if we think they're necessary we're going to use them," he said.

Our correspondent says that those who attended two funeral services a week ago in Toronto are the latest people to be asked to go into quarantine.

[buffyt]

I wonder if SARS has been around for years, and when people died of "the flu" in the past -- like Jim Henson and Jamie O'Rourke -- maybe it was really SARS -- but there wasn't an epidemic or tests to see what strain of flu it was???????

[Judith Anne]

Good for you, Buffy! I just read that article, and I was going to post it...I think I'll go ahead and do that, it was interesting...

[Judith Anne]

As I think I mentioned before, Jim Hensen had strep pneumonia, if I recall correctly. That's bacterial, not viral...