No need to worry about victim’s ashes, residents told

MABALACAT, Pampanga — "There’s no cause for hysteria and panic."

Thus said this town’s mayor, Marino Morales, to allay his constituents’ unfounded fears that the ashes of a Filipina who died of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in Hong Kong, which one of her children is bringing home, pose a health risk.

"The ashes are certainly safe, and the one who would bring the remains home would undergo the usual 14-day quarantine period," Morales said.

Meanwhile, Morales said Mabalacat residents working in Hong Kong have agreed not to return home for vacation until the SARS problem in the former Crown Colony is contained to spare their families here from being ostracized.

There are reports that the arrival of the SARS victim’s ashes has caused disagreements among her relatives in Barangays Dolores, Sta. Ines and Camachile.

Earlier, Dr. Oscar Aurelio, municipal health officer, said he has no idea when the ashes would arrive. He, however, stressed that the ashes are free of the SARS virus and are safe to be kept home.

For his part, Dr. Eric Tayag, assistant director of the Department of Health in Central Luzon, said, "The issue has already caused some hysteria in the immediate neighborhoods of the relatives. This should not be the case since the Department of Health would not issue any clearance both for the ashes and the one who would bring them home if there was any danger."

Morales, however, said the DOH clearance for the victim’s child would be issued only after the 14-day quarantine period.

The victim’s family has refused any media interview.

"This thing has already caused some unrest in the communities of the relatives, but there is no reason for this," said Morales, who also denied reports that another Filipino SARS victim in Hong Kong also hails from this town.

Morales has activated barangay health emergency response teams to monitor arrivals from SARS-affected countries.

"So far, so good. We have not monitored any overseas Filipino worker returning from the affected countries," he said. – Ding Cervantes