HEALTH-FRANCE: Strong Steps Taken Against SARS

By Julio Godoy Reprint | | Print |

Julio Godoy

PARIS, Apr 24 2003 (IPS) - The French government has ordered immediate hospitalisation of anyone showing SARS symptoms even though the condition is not considered a major health risk within France.

"Given the exceptional and urgent nature of the disease, the government has decided to decree the immediate and forced hospitalisation of all persons showing its symptoms," says Health Minister Jean-Francois Mattei.

French authorities have so far examined 359 persons showing SARS-like symptoms, which include fever and a dry cough. Five of them are suspected to be suffering from SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

The government ordered forced hospitalisation of suspect patients after a patient secured release from a hospital and maintained contact with relatives and other people for several hours.

"Such a situation is distressing," Mattei said. "Therefore we have decided that forced hospitalisation of people with grave infectious risks like SARS is necessary."

The condition arose in China, which has seen also the highest incidence of the disease. Chinese authorities have reported more than 2,000 SARS cases with more than 100 deaths. About 490 cases have been reported in Beijing. The Chinese government has closed all schools in Beijing for two weeks to avoid further spread of the disease, also referred to as atypical pneumonia.

The government shortened Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Rafarin’s visit to China this week. Rafarin is expected to be in Beijing from Thursday until Saturday. Rafarin and a delegation of 120 will be in Beijing only some 30 hours. A visit to Shanghai has been cancelled.

Members of the delegation have been given alcoholic gels to wash their hands regularly during the trip. A specialist in respiratory diseases travelled with the delegation.

Members of the delegation were also given masks and disinfecting devices.. But they were asked not to show masks in public to avoid conveying "a negative image" to China.

It was significant that the visit was not cancelled. The government argued that Rafarin’s visit was important from the diplomatic and commercial points of view. "There are several contracts to sign," said a government source. The French are looking for power generation contracts and for orders for Airbus aircraft.

But Rafarin’s visit has been criticised by many physicians and politicians. Some company executives are said to have opted out of the visit.

"The government must explain why its warnings are valid for the normal citizens but do not stop the Prime Minister going to Beijing," said Jean-Marie Leguen, spokesperson for the opposition Socialist Party on health issues.

Specialists in respiratory and contagious diseases say the situation in China is worse than officially admitted. "You have to multiply the Chinese figures by ten to arrive at a better estimation of the dimensions of the disease," says Alain Fisch, a French epidemiologist investigating the atypical pneumonia.

Fisch says there are no medical services to detect the disease in many of the poorer areas within China. Measures against SARS have come too late to check the epidemic, "and now it has spread to the rest of South East Asia," he added.

Several steps are being taken against SARS within France. People returning from South East Asia and Canada are required to face tests to establish that they do not carry the SARS virus.

At airports and at international railway stations, many people have been wearing masks, or avoiding travellers who cough or show symptoms of respiratory diseases.

SARS usually begins with a fever. Other symptoms may include headache, a feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some people also experience mild respiratory symptoms. After two to seven days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough and have trouble breathing.

The primary way SARS appears to spread is by close person-to-person contact. Most cases of SARS involve people who have cared for or lived with someone with SARS, or had direct contact with infectious material such as respiratory secretions.

SARS can spread by touching the skin of people, or objects contaminated with infectious droplets, and then touching one’s own eyes, nose, or mouth. This can happen when someone who is sick with SARS coughs or sneezes droplets on to themselves, other people, or nearby surfaces.