Minister of health (images borrowed from CBC & CP)

S.A.R.S in perspective

   
Niagara Falls, Ontario - Monday, April 28, 2003 - by: Joe Hueglin
   

three

Suspect, probable, confirmed. Three designations little differentiated in the
minds of those reacting to SARS.

 

 

suspect

"Suspect" is not used by the World Health Organization nor in the
reporting of other diseases. (1) but is by Health Canada and greatly
inflates the figures.
"What the suspect means is that somebody
has a sneeze." (2)
is the way one Health Care Authority worker expressed it.

 

 

probable

"Probable" has little meaning in that persons "completely recovered," from
whatever was ailing them
"remain counted on the list of probable
cases because the lists are cumulative." (3)

 

 

confirmed

"Confirmed" cases have
"been limited to specific transmission
settings such as households, hospitals and
specific community settings."(4)
the last having been a health care professional more than a week ago and
all having been identified as to source.(5)

 

 

contained

The current out break has been contained to the point there's no need at
present to be fearful.

 

 

screening

Future well being depends on screening entrants to Canada from abroad
effectively and efficiently(6). Not just in Toronto and Vancouver as the
Federal Health Minister belatedly is considering (7), but of all individuals
entering Canada from the Far East.
   

 

Joe Hueglin

   
References:  

1.
-

O'Brian, Amy and Culbert, Lori, Seven new suspected cases reported in B.C. (PDF) April 28, 2003, Vancouver Sun
   

2.

Latest Canadian Numbers on SARS (PDF)
   

3.

Medical professionals urge SARS reality check (PDF) April 24, 2003 CTV news
   

4.

SARS cases chart from Health Canada
   

5.
-

Chung, Andrew and Lawton, Valerie, Canada's screening at 'minimum' WHO points to airport measures, (PDF) April 26, 2003, Toronto Star
   

6.

Airport fever sensors likely in SARS battle: McLellan (PDF) April 27, 2003 CBC News
   

   

 

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