WHO Team Arrives In Taiwan To Support Efforts To Combat Spread Of SARS
A United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) team arrived today in Taiwan Province of China, to support health
authorities there in combating the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, which has accelerated considerably
during the past week.
Taiwan announced yesterday a cumulative total of 100 probable cases of SARS, a number representing almost a tripling of
cases over the past 10 days, according to <" http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/">WHO. The agency's two-person team - with expertise in epidemiology and virology - will visit hospitals and consult
with local health authorities to get a clear picture of how the outbreak is developing.
The team's principal focus will be on the possible need to strengthen infection control procedures, as the outbreak has
affected a number of hospital staff. They will also advise Taiwan officials on how best to stop the spread of the virus
on the island.
The country's Centre for Disease Control reported the first two suspected SARS cases, in a couple, on 14 March, and by
16 April a total of 27 probable cases had been detected. WHO said investigation of cases determined that all either had
a travel history to an affected area, or had been in close contact with patients.
Several staff at two hospitals have become infected, forcing Taiwanese authorities to impose, on 28 April, a mandatory
14-day quarantine on all incoming travellers from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macao and Toronto, Canada. Since the
outbreak began, 8 deaths have occurred in Taiwan.
Latest global statistics indicate a total of 6,583 cases with 461 deaths.