The Chinese Ministry of Health (MOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 8, 2004 announced a suspected case of SARS in the southern province of Guangdong. The patient, who has been treated under isolation since 31 December, is a 20-year-old woman from Henan Province who works at a restaurant in Guangzhou, the provincial capital city.
The patient felt unwell on 25 December, developed a fever the following day, and
sought medical treatment on 31 December. In line with diagnostic and management
protocols issued by the MOH, she was immediately placed in isolation. She was
diagnosed as a suspected case following review by a panel of Chinese SARS
experts. Epidemiological investigations and laboratory tests are under way. The
patient has been afebrile for the past seven days and is said to be in stable
condition.
Altogether 100 contacts have been traced and placed under medical observation.
At present, no signs or symptoms suggestive of SARS have developed in any of
these contacts.
The announcement follows Monday's laboratory
confirmation of SARS in a 32-year-old male resident of Guangzhou. The man has
fully recovered and has been discharged from hospital. All close contacts of the
patient, including health care workers, have remained in good health throughout
the observation period, which has now ended.
At present, no epidemiological evidence has linked the confirmed case with the
suspected case. The possible source of exposure in both cases is under
investigation.
A joint team of WHO and Chinese experts has arrived today in Guangdong to investigate possible sources of infection for the confirmed SARS case. Over the coming days, parallel investigations will look at possible human-to-human, animal-to-human, and environmental sources of transmission.