Ministry urges doctors and hospitals to be alert for Sars

Doctors and hospitals should be alert for possible cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) following reports of new cases in China, the Health Ministry said today.

"Clearly we are keeping a close eye on the situation in China, where authorities are reporting one death and seven probable cases of Sars," acting director of public health Ashley Bloomfield said in a statement.

A number of people who had been in contact with those patients were also ill and had been isolated, while others who had been in contact but were not showing signs of illness were in quarantine.

Dr Bloomfield said the eight cases in China appeared to have been infected from laboratory and hospital exposure.

"There is no evidence of transmission in the general community or to tourists in China. We are not, at this stage, advising people to defer travel to China.

"However, anyone who has recently travelled in China and is unwell should telephone their doctor, describe their travel history and seek advice."

Dr Bloomfield said although the risk of anyone arriving in New Zealand with Sars seemed low, the Health Ministry was acting prudently in advising health authorities of the situation in China, and reminding them of appropriate precautions.

"General practitioners and after-hours emergency centres need to be alert to this possibility, and to ensure they take a travel history of any patient who has symptoms of respiratory infection.

"Hospitals should also be alert to the possibility of Sars when they admit anyone with respiratory infection or pneumonia -- particularly if the person has been in China and even more so if they have had contact with a Sars patient."

Dr Bloomfield said the Health Ministry was confident that last year's experience with Sars had equipped the health sector to respond well to any re-emergence of the illness.

- NZPA