Nine people quarantined in Abilene as SARS precaution

AMERICAN-STATESMAN ^ | 07-11-03

[Brian S]

ABILENE, Texas— Nine people in the Abilene area are quarantined at home as a precaution for the SARS virus, officials said Thursday.

A group of military personnel passed through the Toronto Airport recently, and some reported mild to moderate respiratory problems earlier this week after returning to Texas, said Capt. David May of Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene. None have been hospitalized, he said.

Only one person fits the definition of being a suspect case of SARS, but the entire group and some people they've come in contact with are now under quarantine, nine people in all, May said.

No one in the group has been diagnosed with SARS, and the public has no reason to be alarmed, officials with the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District said Thursday.

May won't say exactly when they were in Toronto or how many were in the group. They were in the airport about an hour on their way to and from a military exercise in Ontario, according to the health district. Neither May nor the district would release names.

On Tuesday, federal officials lifted a SARS-related travel alert for Toronto. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than 30 days had elapsed since the last SARS case in the Canadian city developed symptoms.

Last week, the World Health Organization said SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, had been contained after killing more than 800 people worldwide.

[Brian S]

FYI...

[Support Free Republic]

The former President disembarks from his airplane after a trip back to Arkansas. Although the hoopla is less now that he is out of office, Clinton still occasionally finds himself greeted by military personnel. This is one such occasion.

He climbs down the stairs, carrying two huge pigs, one under each arm. He gets to the bottom, and nods his head in return to the soldier's salute. "Son, what do you think about these?" he says. "Nice pigs, SIR!" comes the reply. Clinton gets mildly miffed and lectures, "I'll have you know these aren't just pigs but the finest of Arkansas Razorbacks. Top notch. I got one for Hillary, and one for Chelsea. What do you think about that?"

"Nice trade, SIR!

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[EggsAckley]

Would that they had been so meticulous when AIDS started spreading. Quarantines are our friends.

[riri]

ping.

[blam]

OOPS!

[IYAAYAS]

Only 8 weeks or so before it starts to cool off, then we'll know. Enjoy your summer!

[Domestic Church]

Pinging the SARS pong.

[blam]

"Only 8 weeks or so before it starts to cool off, then we'll know. Enjoy your summer!"

LOL, I can stop worrying about WNV and begin worrying about SARS again.

[IYAAYAS]

You know what's funny; I never used to care about mosquitoes. I would never get the little bumps or the itches or the pain most people get, so what did I care if they got a snack. Now I freak out when the little bastards stick their proboscuses in me. I've heard from reliable sources if you drink enough they'll stay away.

[dc-zoo]

Thanks for posting this. My daughter just drove through Ablilene yesterday on her way back from pre-med camp at Texas Tech. She stopped for gas there but it was a quick pitstop. I just hope this health incident is a false alarm and not an outbreak.

[Judith Anne]

Thank you for the ping. I guess we'll keep track of this story for a while, to see what happens with it...