FRANCAIS

May 09, 2003

Manitoba Health and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority are currently investigating and responding to a patient who meets SARS suspect case criteria. The patient is a male in his seventies and recently returned to Winnipeg following a trip to the Philippines. The patient is in isolation at Health Sciences Centre and is in stable condition. It is considered unlikely that this patient actually has SARS.

As a precaution, those who have been in close contact with this patient have been contacted and are under active surveillance by WRHA public health staff. At this time, no close contacts are known to be ill, and none have been quarantined.

SARS is characterized by fever, cough, and shortness of breath and may progress to severe illness. Symptoms appear within 10 days of exposure -- usually within 3-5 days.

Potential risk of SARS for Manitobans remains low. Individuals who have recently travelled to Asia or Toronto, or anyone who has had close contact with a case of SARS is advised to watch for symptoms and if they occur, seek medical advice from their own physician or Health Links. They will be assessed to see if the travel history meets current criteria for suspect or probable SARS. If medical care is needed, they should phone ahead to alert health care professionals.

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