DOH: Only a matter of time before first case of mystery flu hits RP

It’s only a matter of time before the first Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) case is found in the country, Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit said yesterday.

He pointed out that with thousands of tourists and returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) entering the country from SARS high-risk areas such as Hong Kong and Guangdong, China, a SARS case could easily turn up any time.

"It’s only a matter of time before the first SARS case in the country happens," Dayrit said in a statement. "Everyday that SARS does not turn up in the country is a blessing."

The Department of Health (DOH) said that there is a need to be prepared as the global SARS situation was worsening with cases doubling from 167 to 316 cases in only a few days from March 17 to 21.

The number of affected countries were also on the rise. From only six a few weeks ago, there are now 12 countries considered high-risk including Switzerland, Slovenia, United Kingdom, United States and Canada.

But so far, the five suspected SARS cases in the Philippines now being monitored in government hospitals had all turned up negative.

The DOH revealed that 500 short messaging service (SMS) or text message inquiries and reports had been received in their SARS text hotline. However, none was confirmed to be afflicted with the deadly disease.

Nevertheless, Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta said that the Arroyo administration should focus its energy and resources for the possible outbreak of the killer disease "instead of becoming too preoccupied with how it could demonstrate its political and moral support for the US-led war in Iraq."

"Malacañang could not afford to overlook this possible health concern. More so at this time when funds are scarce to contain a possible outbreak of this pneumonia strain," Oreta said. — With Jose Rodel Clapano