Brazzaville, 14 April 2003 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (WHO/AFRO) is maintaining a very high alert in the Region following the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), a respiratory illness that has recently been reported in Asia, North and South America and Europe.

The Director of Programme Management at WHO/AFRO, Dr Luis G. Sambo, said in Brazzaville Monday that WHO had requested Member States in the Region to be on the lookout for any cases of this rare form of pneumonia.

"Our Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Response Unit is in constant touch with all 46 countries in the Region. Guidance for preparedness including case management has been provided. Health Ministries have been requested to promptly report any suspected cases", Dr Sambo said.

As of 12 April 2003, there were 2,960 SARS cases with 119 deaths in 19 countries, officially reported by health ministries.

"In Strengthening their communicable disease surveillance system countries will timely detect cases and prevent the spread of the disease in the event it occurs" Dr L. G Sambo added.

The symptoms of SARS include high fever (over 38 degrees Celsius), dry cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.

Currently available evidence shows that the disease is most commonly spread by close person-to-person contact involving exposure to infectious droplets. More than 90 % of patients recover from the disease.

For detailed and the most current information on SARS, please visit http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) site maintained by the Department of  Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Response (CSR) at the World Health Organization.

Contacts at the WHO Regional Office for Africa:

Dr Paul Lusamba-Dikassa Regional Adviser for Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Response ( lusambap [at] whoafr.org (lusambap[at]whoafr[dot]org))

Mr. Samuel T. Ajibola, Public Information and Communication Unit 
ajibolas [at] afro.who.int (ajibolas[at]afro[dot]who[dot]int) 
Tel:+ 47 241  39378
Fax: + 47 241 39513