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| Tuesday, 20 May 2003 |
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Exporters concerned about SARS outbreak The spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) will have serious repercussions on many areas, including exports, the Exporters' Association of Sri Lanka (EASL) said. In a media release the Association points out that it is also concerned about the threat of the spread of the disease in Sri Lanka. Globalisation, the 21st century reality of people travelling across the globe within hours, is also a global opportunity for diseases such as SARS to spread to additional areas, including Sri Lanka. In the absence of effective drugs or a vaccine for SARS, control of this disease relies on the rapid identification of cases and their appropriate management, including the isolation of suspects and probable cases and the management of their close contacts. In most countries, these measures have prevented the spread of the disease. The EASL wishes to draw attention to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommendations for the adoption of measures to prevent travel related spread of SARS. The WHO issued travel guidance very early on the outbreak. These guidelines are reviewed regularly. The WHO has declared that there are three major issues around international travel and the disease: Is the disease going to spread around the world because of people with the disease traveling from affected areas to other countries? Is it safe to visit these affected countries? Is it safe to fly because there might be somebody who carries the infection on board the aircraft? The WHO advises that to reduce the risk of travellers carrying the SARS virus to new areas, international travellers should be screened for possible SARS at the point of departure and arrival. Such screening involves answering two or three questions and may include a temperature check. Travellers with one or more symptoms of SARS and have a history of exposure, have temperature or appear acutely ill should be assessed by a health care worker at the airport. The WHO further recommends that travellers should be aware of the main symptoms of SARS and should seek medical advice, if they develop symptoms in the 10 days after leaving an outbreak area. The EASL strongly recommends that a competent and powerful Task Force be created to implement a strict and efficient system to guard Sri Lanka against the threat of SARS. The process should adhere to the standards advocated by the WHO. In addition a process of educating the community about this disease also should be undertaken as an urgent necessity. |
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